If you’ve been away from work, or the workplace, for an extended period, expect the re-entry to be a bit bumpy. The standard advice – frequently offered to new parents, those who have been recovering from illness, and the long-term unemployed – is that resuming old patterns will take some getting used to.
What’s different now is that people really aren’t returning to old patterns. Even when they’re coming back to the same cubicle or work station that they abandoned when the pandemic shutdowns occurred, pretty much everything else has changed.
Here are just some of the differences you may encounter if you return to work this fall, regardless of whether you’ve been unemployed or working from home in the interim.
Shifting return dates: Are we back to the office in August or September? Wait, maybe we’ll hold off until January. While the delta variant is the latest fly in the ointment for companies planning their workers’ return, it isn’t the only reason the dates have been shifting. Since there isn’t much you can do about this, you’ll need a flexible mindset to cope with ping-ponging company plans.
Punctuality expectations: Uh-oh, was I supposed to be here at 8? For workers who’ve been home-based the past year, strict adherence to schedules has not been the rule. It may still not be, but you’d better check to be sure.
Diminished commuting options: If you’ve always driven to the job (and your vehicle still starts), no worries here. But commuters who have relied on buses, trains and rideshare apps may be unpleasantly surprised by diminished options. Transportation schedules in many areas have been cut, while Uber and Lyft drivers are less ubiquitous. You’ve been warned; plan accordingly.
Backpack workstations: Many companies have downsized their space this year while also shrinking work teams. Those employees who used to enjoy leaving their coffee cup on their desk or workstation may now find they are issued a locker instead, with the expectation they’ll backpack it to any available workspace when they arrive at the job. Time to buy a travel mug?
Lunch at your desk: Wherever your desk or workstation is for the day, expect to spend most of your time there. With more concern about spreading infection, some workplaces are reducing or eliminating cafeterias and other open spaces, while limiting opportunities for mingling among workers. You may even find yourself video-conferencing with colleagues down the hall, rather than gathering in the conference room. (Yes, you should wear pants for these Zoom calls).
COVID restrictions: Speaking of spreading infection – we’re still very much in a pandemic, even while we’re opening our workplaces more fully. Employers are proving they have the right to mandate everything from masking to vaccination, so expect COVID-related rules governing the way work is conducted.
Relaxed dress codes: Sometime in the last 20 years the American workplace saw its last pair of pantyhose, at least for most women. There’s reason to believe uncomfortable shoes, neckties, business suits and even dress pants will join the nylons in the junk heap. In their place will be tennis shoes (but still not Crocs) and pants with a forgiving waistline (but not shorts or worn-out jeans). If your body changed shape this past year, now’s the time to restock your wardrobe.
Flexible work options: Now that we know it can be done, and partly because workers will demand it, more companies are touting flexible work options. For some employees, this means hybrid schedules that include days worked from home. Others may need to be on-site for all their shifts but could have more control over the schedule itself.
As you can see from this list, not all of the changes will be unwelcome or challenging to manage, although they can still be a shock. One way to keep from feeling overwhelmed by your return to the workplace is to give extra attention to your routine the first few weeks back.
For example, you might limit after-work activities initially to ensure you can arrive home, fix dinner and get a reasonable amount of sleep. After all, you won’t be enjoying those mid-day naps anymore. Likewise, using a routine to set out your clothes, pack your tools or work bag and make your lunch will help ensure a less-harried start to each day.
If this is all sounding very structured after so many months of relative freedom, don’t worry. With some care, you can expect to survive this transition into the next phase of work.
Amy Lindgren owns Prototype Career Service, a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com or at 626 Armstrong Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55102.
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August 22, 2021 at 06:00PM
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Working Strategies: Things to consider for returning to work - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
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