Preparing for return to work

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, the economy starts to pick up and offices tentatively open their doors, should employers think about drawing up a return to work policy?

COVID-19 may be responsible for changing the way we work for a very long time to come, and offices may never be the same again as a result.

An estimated 44 per cent of the UK’s workforce have been working from home during the peak of the pandemic, and while many companies do not have a date for an official return to the workplace; it is never too early to start thinking about life after lockdown.

While we continue listen to and follow the Government’s advice on the easing of the lockdown in a number of areas, there are many people across the region who are still anxious about what a return to the office will mean to them.

With this in mind, employers may want to think about a return to work policy, taking into account the social distancing measures as well as longer-term factors when it comes to protecting the health of their workforce. While there is much to consider, including many tasks which would have been taken for granted pre-pandemic, a good starting point would be to engage with staff and find out from them what their main concerns are about returning to work. Many of the measures will be practical, while others may need many people to rethink their working day. Carrying out a risk assessment could be a good starting point to drawing up a policy.

Think about: How can staff safely adhere to the one-metre social distancing rule? Restricting and re-thinking access to staff areas like kitchens and toilets. Advising staff to bring in their own ready to eat food, cutlery, water bottles. Introducing a rule of no personal post being delivered to staff at the office. Agreeing flexible working instead of taking longer periods of time off. Staggering work times to limit the number of people in the office at one time. Making sure there are places to wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and encourage everyone to do so regularly. Providing hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them.

Keeping everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure to coronavirus in the workplace and make sure everyone’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date. Ensuring managers know how to spot symptoms of COVID-19 and are clear on any relevant processes and procedures in case someone in the workplace is potentially infected and needs to take the appropriate action.