Some employees are eager to "return to normal," and others loathe the idea of returning to a grueling commute, office politics, and rigid schedules. How do you best satisfy everyone's needs?
If we have learned anything over the past year, it's that the right messaging is critical. Here are ten ideas to help you get it right.
- Be clear on why you are returning to the office. Reinforce the values of your organization, safety precautions being taken and communicate and train on and any policy and procedure changes.
- Ask for feedback. This is prime time to review what worked, what didn't and make decisions about the future of things once taken as a given. Engage employees from throughout the workforce to understand gaps and areas of opportunity.
- Review paid leave programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Ensure HR staff and people managers are equipped with the information they need to support employees.
- Focus on employee development, especially if you offered minimal wage increases last year. Start the conversation by simply asking employees what their aspirations are.
- Continue to offer flexibility by implementing core hours in which all important meetings are held.
- Update the way you run meetings to promote inclusion.
- Continue with frequent check-ins for all employees focusing on the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.
- Maintain rigorous cleaning practices, promote vaccinations, and continue to make PPE available to employees.
- Develop a regular cadence of communication and updates from leaders. Familiarity and follow-through breeds trust.
- Start training teams on adaptive skills, communication, and problem-solving.
Times of disruption can be the perfect environment in which to create new habits and for innovation!