3 steps to prep for returning to the office

It’s not too early to think about how you’ll communicate the eventual transition back to the office. (And just when everyone’s finally figured out Zoom meetings and how to dress business-on-top, cozy-below.)

Having so many employees suddenly working remotely was a major change, and now heading back to work on site will require another round of change management. As with any major change, employees want to be kept in the loop. Here are a few tips for what to tell them and when:

1. Start communicating now about the timetable.

Employees will need to prepare, emotionally and logistically, for the transition from home back to the office. Even if your executive leadership hasn’t yet landed on a specific date to transition back to the office, give employees a rough idea of what’s likely. Is it mid-May? Or could it be June? If the answer is it could be either one, it’s fine to say that the timeline is up in the air and dependent upon many variables. Just tell employees something, and remind them that this is not forever.

2. Explain how the company will protect and prioritize health and safety.