5 Tips to Welcome Employees Back to the Workplace

Who knew that coming back to the office would so exciting – meeting colleagues again and even sharing water cooler gossip. Not everyone will adjust immediately, so it will be important to support the ‘Welcome Back’ moment for your employees with a well thought out transition process. Here are 5 tips to welcome employees back to the workplace:

1. Provide extra support and resources

People will be excited and anxious about a return to work. Help support your teams with some extra resources. For example, organise 10/15-minute quick break walks through the day, and longer, 30-minute walking sessions at lunchtime. Deliver virtual wellness gatherings or mindfulness sessions that employees can tune into at their desk. Finally, clarify the access to resources that HR provide to support all staff.

2. Ensure clear communications

Clear lines of communications and clear messaging will support the transition from home to office. Messages about washing hands, use of masks, the number of people who can sit together in the canteen – all need to be formulated and communicated. Keep messages simple and sensible and clarify who staff need to speak to if they have suggestions or questions.

3. Give employees an Appreciation Pack

Welcome employees back with a surprise gift. Our bespoke Appreciation Packs include useful products branded with your logo, goodies such as Irish artisan chocolate, coffee and biscuits, and fun gifts such as a ‘What’s the Craic’ mug. It’s a simple gesture that make employees feel appreciated, and shows you value their presence once again.

4. A welcome back worth shouting about

People love to talk about good experiences. Doing a great job of welcoming your returning employees helps to build a positive work culture. Employees talk about their welcome back, especially on social media. If the experience is positive your company is viewed as a sought-after workplace, which helps to attract quality talent.

5. Be flexible and adaptive

Prepare to be flexible with your returning workforce. Build in time to discuss hybrid models of working. Consider how staff might work extra hours one week to allows them an additional day off the next week. Be patient with those who must extend their working from home status. Let’s remember that working from home has proven in many studies to boost productivity. Listen carefully and find adaptive solutions which help both parties.

Finally

Thoughtful planning will support a successful transition of your workforce back into your workplace. Things have changed since March 2019 and the post-Covid workplace is different. Accepting the difference, welcoming employees back, and supporting flexible working practices will pay dividends. With employers chasing fewer employees, the way you look after your people in the future will be critical.