As COVID-19 infections begin to wane, many employers are asking their workers to return to the company and perform their jobs onsite. After establishing a home office with work-related conveniences and personal comforts, some employees are reluctant to return to the company premises. However, there are several ways to enhance the workplace environment to make it more comfortable and welcoming to employees who are called back to work there.
Customize Area Workspaces
Whether employees have their own office, cubicle, or shared workspace, encourage them to make it their own by providing their preferred office chair, space for pictures or suitable wall art, and a place for plants or a few personal effects. However, the office cannot be exactly like home. Making room for a few belongings or decorations can give the workspace a homey air that will help employees reacclimate quickly.
Add An Outdoor Cooking And Eating Space
Some people continue to take COVID-19 precautions with social distancing. Many enjoy the fun and freedom of outdoor dining in nice weather. Consider installing outdoor cooking and eating space for your employees, including a gas range, stainless steel sinks, and outdoor kitchen cabinets for safe storage. Getting outside during the day provides a nice break from the indoor workplace routine and encourages relaxation while providing social distancing for those who prefer to keep practicing this precaution. Organize this space efficiently and make it easy to clean when providing covers for the grill and other appliances. Picnic tables and disposable dishes make cleanup easy, while the outside environment adds a carefree, relaxed element to the workday.
Enhance The Break Room
For inclement weather, employees will need a break room for snacks, lunches, or resting. Update your workplace break room with new furniture and other upgrades
to make it cozy and enjoyable. Add comfortable seating and adjustable window blinds for windows, if any, so that employees can create the ambiance they prefer on a given day. Disposable paper table covers for washing food or easy cleanup is another plus. You may want to include a standup fan or space heater if the room’s temperature is variable. Some employers stock inexpensive snacks, like coffee, tea, bottled water, packets of crackers, or instant soup. Make sure everything is stored safely to discourage a pest invasion of insects or rodents. You could add a snack room jar for anyone who wants to donate toward the supplies.
Provide Flextime Scheduling
While working from home, many employees perform double duty during their breaks or lunch hour, such as housecleaning, starting dinner in the crockpot, or putting toddlers down for a nap. These things can no longer be done, so consider offering flexible scheduling to let employees adjust their workday to accommodate personal or household activities they managed while working from home. For example, they could start two hours later than usual and stay two hours later to make up that time. Or they might be able to work half a day over the weekend to have more flexible scheduling time during the week. Look at options to benefit both the employee and the company.
Upgrade The Restrooms
Restrooms play a valuable role in the workday. They should always be kept clean, neat, and odor-free, with everything in excellent and safe working order. Try to update your restrooms by adding new seating or having it reupholstered. A new floor, sinks, or toilets can make the restrooms more comfortable and attractive. Fresh flowers or decorative wall art will brighten the bathrooms. You may want to install an inexpensive bidet or bathroom safety features like wall handrails or a higher toilet to accommodate employees who are not technically disabled but possibly getting older.
Bringing employees back to work can become an exciting opportunity for them to reimagine their workspace and appreciate the updated environment. Look at low-cost ways to make your employees feel valued and welcome as they come back to the company to resume their jobs onsite.