Preparing for the new world of work

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, potentially forever. As well as all the hardships the last 18 months has presented, there are also many opportunities for business leaders to consider how they run their workspaces and manage their employees. There is potential to decrease office space and reduce overheads. Employees can work from home for some of the time, or even go fully remote. Whatever happens, employers understand that it is more necessary than ever to accommodate their employees’ needs both in the office and at home. Bosses who listen to their teams’ needs will have a happy and productive workforce; those who don’t may experience churn. Conversely, bosses could now have access to the best talent in the world, not necessarily just in their commutable area. It pays to establish a thoughtful and comprehensive back-to-work plan that covers both employee and business needs.

This guide, put together by TecnaCare, will help by identifying key areas of concern and offering ideas as to how to approach them. By running through this list and working out what the “new normal” could look like for you and your team, you can rest assured your business is ready for the new world of work.

5-step checklist and summary

1. Ask your team

Every employee has different needs, preferences and priorities, meaning each employee will need to be considered individually. Of course, the first step in establishing a solution to your new workplace puzzle will be to speak to your team.

Run a team survey to find out how and where employees would most like to work moving forward. Chances are you’ve already done a similar task before, but in these ever-changing times it’s worth doing another one to stay up to date. These surveys can be anonymous – you’ll get more candid answers that way.
Ensure all line managers have had one-to-ones with their team-members, to gain a more nuanced understanding of each employees’ situation.

2. Review your existing workplace strategy

Once you have a good idea of your team’s needs, you can now review your existing workplace strategy and see what needs to be changed, or what can be kept.

Establish your company needs. Whilst the initial focus should be on your employees’ desires, of course any potential changes need to be compatible with the fundamental ways your business functions. Identify the areas of change that are “non-negotiable”;
Do employees need to be in the office at any point?
Do they need to live within commuting distance of the office?
Are there certain areas of work that have to take place in the workplace?
How will employees interact with customers or clients?
What financial implications will potential changes have, and is there budget for them?

3. Ensure workplaces are Covid-secure

If you’re expecting employees to return to the workplace, it’s crucial they are protected and made to feel safe. Consider the following safety measures when putting your back-to-work plan together.

Carry out a Coronavirus risk assessment in line with Government guidance. Look at our dedicated health and safety guide on how we can help.
Have sanitiser gel dispensers readily available around the office and encourage regular hand-washing.
Install protective screens in the workspace where employees cannot easily remain 2 metres apart.
Increase air-flow as much as possible with open windows, doorways and air purifiers.
Look at using antimicrobrial cleaning protection for an added layer of defence to create safer and cleaner environments
Consider rotational days or flexi-time shifts so that employees can stagger their time in the workplace and reduce congestion.

4. Revisit your processes and policies

As the world of work changes, it’s vital that your processes and policies change also. Doing this will help employees settle into the new norm, and any new-starters will hit the ground running.

Update your flexible working policies. Look into:
Who can work remotely
Remote working from abroad
Communication practices
Flexible working hours
Financial contributions to home set-ups
Employee well-being
Review your salary and perks packages. Do they reflect your new workplace practices and culture?
Are the internal platforms/methods of communication you use still suitable for your new workplaces practices?

5. Communicate regularly with your employees

As we all settle in to the “new normal” it’s crucial to keep checking in and maintaining regular contact with your team. You can ensure new policies are being adhered to whilst also working out any potential kinks along the way.