Back to work: are you ready to return to your office?

The end of 2020 has finally arrived, and Australia’s workforce is breathing a collective sigh of relief. To say that this year has tested us doesn’t quite cut it: we’ve battled job losses, industry collapse, and sudden modifications to the way we work. But is the drama really over?

As we prepare to chill out for the summer break, I can’t help but wonder if 2021 will bring a return to normal, or a whole new set of challenges. Either way, with change inevitably comes growth, so I say let’s embrace the new normal, and seek innovation and compromise into the new year. 

For most of us, returning to the office environment seemed like a far-off problem.

But with 2021 now just around the corner, it’s time to consider what this might look like. Returning to the office has been a hot topic in my circles, with friends and colleagues all agreeing that they’re not quite convinced that things should go back to normal. Many of us have relished the opportunity to work from home, and have found huge advantages to the offsite set-up. We’ve had more sleep, less travel, lower costs, and higher productivity.

Parents, on the other hand, found this change extremely challenging as they were suddenly required to homeschool their children as well as juggling their normal work responsibilities. So while remote working might have worked in part, the lack of financial and logistical support for the care of their kids was an added challenge.

Either way, everyone can agree on one thing: the traditional nine-to-five, office-only model needs some flexibility. Some companies have recognised this shift in attitude, and are working hard to recalibrate with the inclusion of work-from-home options into their business models. Others, however, are simply opting for a return to pre-COVID work environments. If this sounds like your employer, how do you feel about that? And, what options do you have to challenge the decision?

COVID-19 might seem under control, but the health risk is still very real.

With the pandemic finally wrangled from the danger zone to something more manageable, it can be easy to forget that for so many, it’s far from over. Whether it’s due to chronic illness, autoimmune deficiencies, pre-existing health conditions, or simply falling into the vulnerable age bracket, many Australians are still at risk. For them, the idea of going back to the office environment is pretty scary.

Others of us might be caring for an at-risk child, partner, parent, or loved one. Being back in crowds, public transport, and enclosed office spaces goes against everything they’ve done in 2020 to keep themselves and others safe. So, what can you do if your work is requesting you come back — but you’re just not comfortable?

Safe Work Australia has put together this helpful list of FAQs around the topic of transitioning back to the workplace. It covers off questions such as, Do my workers have the right to stop work if they feel unsafe returning to the usual workplace? and, Who is responsible for cleaning and implementing other control measures in my workplace? Before approaching your management team or employees, take a moment to review your rights and responsibilities.

A new year doesn’t mean a complete departure from 2020’s challenges. But it does mean a fresh start.

Big or small, I know that all of my clients agree on one thing: company feedback is crucial to creating fair and effective workplace policies. If you are feeling unsure about the return to work, I really encourage you to speak up! Giving your team some constructive feedback about how they can make this transition easier.

Consider exploring topics such as:

• What you need to feel safe at work
• What you expect from your colleagues in the workplace, especially around masks and sanitising
• How shared spaces in the building can be managed
• What kind of hours you would like to work from home, and how that can be managed
• How your personal KPIs can and should be monitored from an offsite/remote arrangement
• What remote communication tools work, what don’t

If 2020 was all about immediate responses to an urgent crisis, 2021 is going to be about slower, more considered responses to our changing work needs. There is no rush to reinvent the wheel, but there is absolutely a need for change. How will you be part of the solution?

I would love to hear from you with your own experience of returning to the office next year. Email me at garth@calibrx.com, and know that you can reach out to me at any time for advice or support.