It is challenging to identify any industry that has not been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. From shifting to a virtual office to adjusting recruitment practices, it seems that the things we once knew at the start of the year have become relics of the past. 

The fact of the matter is clear: the way we live, work, and experience life has forever been fundamentally changed. While this reality may seem daunting, there is an expectation that society may once again return to normal. For businesses who have lost stability and confidence due to the pandemic, the time will come for enterprises to restore normalcy by bringing employees back to the office 

Here are some tips to successfully bring back employees after the pandemic passes.

Personal Touch During Transition

For employers hoping to physically relaunch successfully, utilizing proper communication during the transition back is nothing less than essential to operations.  While email and text messages are common ways used to connect with your staff, its more prudent to utilize the “face to face”  technologies we have at our disposal today, such as Zoom and Skype, to bring that personal touch during the transition back.

It may take some time for your team to readjust to a physical office and the expectations that come along with it. Before welcoming everyone back to the office, make sure that you clearly communicate the necessary timelines, training requirements, and changes in policy to keep employees up-to-date and prepared for the transition back.

Stand in Solidarity

COVID-19 has struck financial situations across the nation hard. If you had no choice but to furlough some of your employees, there is a chance your former employee found another job after being let go. For this reason, it is wise first to send them an affectionate employment offer.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated, so in the job offer tell your former employee how valuable they were to the company not just in terms of dollars and cents but in culture as well. If you are bringing back furloughed employees, ensure they understand you are on their side and that you are willing to work through any challenges they may face. If done correctly, then there is a good chance you can lure them away from the competition.

Do not Drop the Ball on Community

Any good company understands the importance of community and culture within the workplace. Unfortunately, this is just one more thing COVID-19 has interrupted, as we have been forced to social distance and use remote forms of communication. Therefore, when the pandemic passes, it is vital for the employer to reinvigorate that lost sense of community.

Even though COVID-19 likely struck your business’ financial health, it is particularly important to keep the workplace perks that promote bonding, such as staff lunches and trips together. Should you remove the events and extras your team enjoyed before the pandemic, it will be far more challenging to recreate and sustain a sense of community and encouragement.

Restore Stability

Now more than ever, employees will require a good sense of work stability and support when they settle back into the office. If your business wishes to maintain a productive workplace, you will need to incorporate well-planned measures to sustain and improve proper communication, understanding, and adaptability.

The effects of COVID-19 may have struck the confidence of your employees. Whether their skills require sharpening or their knowledge regarding procedures needs updating, it is up to employers to keep their employees supported. No matter how small the matter is, they will appreciate it you empathize with their struggles and help settle their fears. The importance of staying alert and meeting their emotional needs as best as you can, can not be underestimated.

If you did not think your employees were watching you closely before COVID-19 – to which we say, they most likely were – they will certainly be keeping a more discerning eye on how you are handling the transition back once the pandemic passes. Employees want to know their employers are honest, and that any changes made were done so with valid reasoning. If you stay aware of this and keep the best interest of your employees in mind, then you can surely restart the engine with great success.