It can be difficult to return to work after a long absence. Make sure you plan your commute each day and are familiar with the safety and work hours of your workplace to make it easier. Before you go back to work, you can create a routine. These steps will help to feel confident and prepared for your new role.
In-person meetings
In-person meetings will become more common, as travel restrictions have eased and meeting requirements are being relaxed. But they remain below pre-pandemic levels. Future-oriented leaders are helping to define what constitutes normal. For a team that has been primarily virtual for two years, the first in-person meeting is likely to be full of relief, but also apprehension.
There are also significant disadvantages to virtual meetings. For example, virtual meetings can make it difficult for people to see nonverbal cues that comprise 80 percent human communication. Also, virtual meetings can exclude people who have different communication styles. One Harvard Business Review study discovered that some people are more comfortable speaking out in virtual meetings. This may help to increase inclusion.
Flexible return-to-the-office policy
According to the Bank of England, it won't change its flexible return-to office policy. It points out individual circumstances and health concerns. Canva has also announced that it is creating flexible work models for its employees. The company will emphasize flexibility and eliminate formal office attendance rules.
Flexible work arrangements are more likely to attract the best talent. Employees may not love the flexible work arrangement. However, 94% of knowledge workers prefer flexibility in their location and schedules. Two-thirds of them are unhappy with their work hours.
Socializing decreases the likelihood of employee theft
Socializing is a common problem among employees and the workplace, but it isn't the only cause. Employees who are distracted can feel tempted to use company-provided time to manage their side businesses or socialize. Many workplaces are plagued by time theft. It is difficult to pinpoint the culprits. Employers can reduce the risk of time theft by giving their employees flexible schedules.
This crime is so common that it has been a leading cause of business failures. It is estimated that it costs companies billions every year. Employee theft is responsible for more than 7% of U.S. businesses going out of business. Over a third of employees have stolen at least once from their employers. Two-thirds of all cyber-attacks are also caused by employees.
Resting completely remote
There have been varying outcomes for organizations when it comes time to get their employees back to work after a break. Some organizations found it difficult managing the chaos, while others discovered a larger talent pool. While most organizations are happy for employees who can work remotely, there are many factors that must be considered before they allow this.
Currently, nearly three in ten companies are using some kind of fully remote work model. Another third intends to keep full-time workers on-site while approximately half the remaining companies will shift towards hybrid models.