As lockdown restrictions are gradually being lifted, we can expect more businesses to reopen their doors in the coming weeks. It makes no doubt that making the workplace ready in a post-pandemic environment becomes essential to survival. There will be many new precautions to follow in order to maintain safety in the workplace. More importantly, after the pandemic low, businesses need to put their staff health – both mental and physical – as a priority. 

First non-remote hiring since COVID

After a year of pandemic disruptions and remote work whenever possible, it’s hard to preserve the business culture. Therefore, it can be helpful to seize the opportunity to bring new blood to the company. Hiring apprentices, unemployed professionals, and even international staff is the best way of scaling up your business and bringing new talent on board. As companies are vital to the local economy, it can be useful to reach out to individuals who can benefit your culture and have been left out during the pandemic. Foreign talent can be a huge advantage for your business recovery. US companies are sponsoring individuals for their daca renewal, for instance, while British ones can help unemployed EU citizens secure rights after Brexit. 

Stress-relief perks and solutions

Life during the pandemic has been stressful. Going back to the office after long periods spent in lockdown can be just as stressful. It’s important to bring stress-relief support to your staff as you prepare to reopen for business. It’s a great opportunity to focus on perks that can alleviate stress in and outside the office. Forward-thinking companies can introduce free therapy, free childcare services, or even mental health support for their staff. 

Additionally, there are several changes you can make to the office environment itself to help reduce stress. These include bringing in more plants, increasing natural light exposure, and investing in ergonomic furniture. You could even purchase Delta 8 Seltzers for employees to enjoy at the office while they work hard to ensure work processes run smoothly after the pandemic. Returning to the office is stressful for employers and employees alike. But with the right support in place, you can make the experience much less daunting.

4 days a week?

The COVID crisis has forced many businesses to reinvent themselves. But when remote working wasn’t an option, office-based companies have had to be creative. Target Publishing, for instance, was forced to cut staff pay to survive during the first lockdown. But to make sure that the gesture wouldn’t feel too negative, they also introduce a four-day week. As a result, they could notice huge benefits on the team’s morale. Employees were excited to work on a reduced time. More surprisingly, productivity didn’t drop as much as expected. In fact, the company chose to reinstate everyone’s pay as soon as possible without changing the four-day formula. The idea is that it can reduce stress, increase job satisfaction, and boost staff retention. 

Masks don’t come for free

In a public-facing environment, employees need to wear PPE. However, a lot of companies still expect their staff to provide their own equipment. As masks are expensive, especially if you require specific quality and features, it would be a good idea to introduce paid-for PPEs that can be branded and controlled for quality. 

Baby boom

As the situation eases, we can expect a boom in the birth rate after the end of lockdown. Businesses need to prepare for maternity leaves in the months following the return to the office environment. As a result, companies may want to introduce flexible work time for parents, childcare services and support to make sure they can maintain a solid relationship with new parents. 

Unsplash – CC0 License 

As a post-pandemic employer, you need to consider how the pandemic has transformed the local pool of talent, the local economy, the mental health requirements, and family plans. From unexpected costs to heightened emotional states, there’s a lot to do to put your employees at the heart of the business recovery.