When Will Employees Begin to Return Safely to the Office?
With COVID numbers decreasing and vaccines being distributed, many people are wondering if employees can now return safely to the office.
While we’re not out of the woods yet, COVID numbers have been decreasing, leading many people to question when (or if) businesses are going to return to in-person work environments.
More people than ever are working from home, and many companies have discovered that this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. After adapting to this work-from-home environment, employees may not want to start returning to the office yet.
So what does this mean? Read on to learn our projections about when (or if) employees will return safely to the office.
Should Employees Come Back?
Some business owners might be wondering if their employees should return to the office at all. After all, the past year has been eye-opening, and it’s clear that many jobs are just as easy to complete at home as they are to complete in the office.
So how can you determine whether or not your business should bother returning to office work?
Cost
One of the key factors to consider is cost. For many businesses, the cost of maintaining a physical office space takes up a lot of the budget. Between rent, utilities, cleaning services, and everything else that goes into the standard office environment, costs add up.
While you’re supplying your employees with what they need to work, how does that cost compare? If you’ve discovered that you’re saving money, it might be advantageous to continue the work-from-home option.
Productivity
The other factor is productivity. Many employers worry that their employees won’t stay on task when they’re at home, but is this true?
For some businesses, it’s impossible to be as productive from home. There may be tools that you need in the office or levels of in-person customer interaction that aren’t replicable online.
That said, if everything can be done online and no one is falling behind, the higher employee morale from at-home work may be worth keeping things as-is.
What Makes for a Safe Return?
If you do plan on bringing the employees back into a physical workplace, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
First, what are the COVID positivity rates in your area? If they’re still high, it’s best to put the return on hold. It’s also a good idea to keep vaccinations in mind. When vaccines are available to everyone, it’s far safer for your employees to return to the office.
This will vary depending on where you live. Keep track and ask your employees what percentages they’d feel comfortable with.
You also need to prepare yourself for the return by focusing on office safety training and cleanliness. Maintain social distancing measures, make sure that you’re disinfecting all surfaces, and continue wearing masks.
Are You Ready to Return Safely?
It’s important to assess your own comfort level (and the comfort levels of your employees) when you’re considering whether or not it’s time to return safely to the office. 2020 is behind us, but caution is important.
Keep in mind that for many businesses, returning to the office is a choice. It’s not necessary. Your employees can get back to work while also working from home.
Are you looking to hire new candidates for when it’s time to return to normal? Our services can connect you with the perfect people for the job. Contact us with any questions!
