A large proportion of workers all over the world have been away from their usual working environment for a long time. You may have been furloughed for 12 weeks or more. You might have been spending at least some of your time working from home, or just in a strange new environment, away from other employees and customers. It’s a price that we’ve all had to pay to limit the spread of the coronavirus, but it’s brought challenges of its own.
However, the time has come for most of us to start going back to work. Some people are still able to work from home, and others remain furloughed as their place of work is unable to reopen safely. But, most of us are heading back out into the world of the working.
If you have mixed feelings about this, you certainly aren’t alone. You might be relieved and grateful that you still have a job to go back to, you may even be eager to see your workmates. But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have concerns. You might have gotten used to working from home or being able to spend time with your family. You might not have been getting up early or dressed in your usual work clothes. You may also have health and safety concerns. None of us wants to put ourselves or other people at risk if we can avoid it.
But, it doesn’t have to be hard. Returning to work can be safe, and perhaps even enjoyable. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you can do to prepare yourself.
Speak to Your Manager or Team
Depending on your job and the environment that you work in, there may have had to be some big changes to your workplace. Some businesses have been able to get away with moving the desks a little further apart and installing handwashing stations. Others have had to limit the number of people allowed inside, and find ways to count customers, as well as installing screens, avoiding cash, and reducing staff numbers.
These changes might have a big effect on how you are able to do your job, and it may take some getting used to. Speak to your manager about the changes before you head back in. Ask about PPE, who you are going to be working with, and anything that you will need to do to keep yourself and others safe. Prepare yourself by getting as much information as you can, and don’t be scared to ask questions or flag things up if you don’t think that enough is being done.
Invest in Sanitiser
We can’t always get to wash our hands. We’re also much worse at avoiding touching our faces than we’d like to think. If you have any worries about when or where you will be able to wash your hands, buy hand sanitiser online and carry it with you everywhere you go so that you can always clean up.
Make Sure You Can Wear Clean Clothes Each Day
Before COVID-19, you may have only changed your clothes when they were dirty, which as long as you are hygienic, and don’t work in healthcare, isn’t a bad thing. But, now, we don’t know what bugs we might be carrying on our outfits, and it’s exceptionally important that once we’re back at work, we wear clean clothes every day. If this means that you need more uniform, speak to your manager. If you wear your own clothes, make sure you’ve got enough suitable work outfits.
Prepare Your Journey to Work
If you drive to work, this might not be a concern. If you walk, you may want to avoid busy streets or leave a little earlier before areas become more crowded. If you use public transport, again you should avoid busy times if you can, and make sure that you wear a mask when you are on board. If this means that you need to start work earlier or later, speak to your manager about ways to make your journey safer.
Start Getting Into a Routine
Waking up, getting dressed for work, having breakfast, and leaving the house on time might be a bit of a shock to the system. As soon as you know that you will be heading back to work soon, try to get back into a routine slowly to reduce the stress.
Going back to work after a week off on holiday is hard, so it’s not surprising that going back after 14 weeks is giving us something to worry about. Even without a global pandemic, it would be tough. But, it could be great as long as you are sensible and well-prepared.
- DISCLOSURE – This post has been written by an outside source.
