5 Questions to Ask Before Returning to the Office
With the ease of restrictions, many questions arise on what your company will do with regards to return to the office. As many employees have been teleworking through the pandemic, a shift to going back into the office or a hybrid (home/office) combination is likely being considered.
According to Statistics Canada there are many benefits to tele-working, this can include increased productivity, potential for better work-life balance, more flexibility, not to mention a potential for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to commuting. However, not all employees like tele-working and for some the lack of a dedicated workspace, or other distractions when working from home (think kids, pets, the pile of dishes sitting in the kitchen) make it a less than ideal option as a move forward.
Yet some employers are looking at tele-working or a hybrid model as a permanent move forward plan. As they begin to plan for this transition, it is important to account for how employee’s workspaces and shared workstations will be setup. We have seen a large majority of companies providing equipment for employees in their home offices to allow for a comfortable working environment when exclusively working from home. But as there is a shift towards hybrid model, there are many questions that arise.
Do employees keep the equipment provided for their home offices, even if returning to the office part-time?
Where will employees primarily workstation be?
Will ergonomic accommodations for employees be available at home and in the office?
Will shared workspaces be available or will employees have personal desks in the office?
If using shared workspaces, what will the ergonomic considerations be?
It is important for employers to consider how they will accommodate employee’s work set-ups and how ergonomics fits into this. If using shared workstations in the office, it is critical to consider how adjustable these spaces are in order to allow each employee to work based on their needs. While for some the simple accommodation of being provided a desk or a chair will suffice, this is not the case for everyone. We must consider the needs of all employees when considering this transition.
If you are transitioning to a Hybrid work model, IPP is ready to assist with reinventing your workspace and helping you answer the questions above. We are ready to provide you with fully adjustable and cleanable shared spaces ideas, and affordable solutions for working from home part-time, or back in the office.
General or individual assessments for employees can really improve their comfort, and webinars can be effective in providing employees with practical and useful information to ensure they are properly set-up. Contact us today to see what services we can provide your organization to assist with this transition!
-Alana & Katie