The workforce has been forced into its homes for two years now. The home office evoked by the pandemic was initially welcomed by many. Spending more time with family or with Netflix instead of commuting seemed to be an attractive option. We basically all had stay at home jobs with benefits. 

But as we all know, all good things come to an end and the initially appealing option soon started to show its true colors. Soon isolation, boredom, antisocial behavior, lack of discipline, increased amounts of time in front of the screen, more sitting than what we would have liked, and a certain measure of loss in our communication set in for many. 

Now it all seems to gradually come to an end and many countries are already putting an end to the home office. At the same time, however, many companies realize that saving millions on rent is actually very profitable so in the private sector many will keep their operations in the home office for the most part.

But what about those who have been caved in for a year or two, settled into that lifestyle, and now must return to the office? How will they cope with returning to the office among people they haven’t seen live for a while, and who possibly went through many of the same experiences and losses they have? How can we ease back and readjust to our old-new reality?

1. Take it Slow and Easy

Yes, productivity is important, and of course, do the best you can. But don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake or realize that you were much better at this before the pandemic. You need time to readjust and get back to the groove. Flexibility is key here, and if your management cares about you, they have already realized this as well. Take your breaks, and use the time to breathe, meditate, smile at people, and decompress. Be easy on yourself and others.

2. Don’t Judge – in General, but Especially Not Now

So what if people are now a bit grumpier, or they say what’s on their mind without thinking about it first, or if they put on a few or quite a few pounds during the pandemic? This is not the time to point out their shortcomings or criticize them – not even in your head. Keep your opinions to yourself. You don’t know what they have gone through. Your coworker might have lost a family member or friend, could have been sick, or depressed and stress-eating. Let’s be slow to speak our mind, and try to see others.

3. Listen First

You may find that some could have become more talkative and others might have become more shy when returning to work. Trauma affects us all differently, and this has definitely been a once in a lifetime, traumatic period in our lives. Either way, try to lend an ear and hear your colleagues out, if you have the capacity for it. It helps people to think clearer and digest their issues better if they can communicate them to someone who really listens. On the other hand, this goes both ways: you also need to be heard, so find a pair of open ears. 

4. Be Kind

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Cred: @brookecagel

A friendly person has many friends. If you are kind to others, you will be patient, appreciative, gentle, forgiving, and giving. Sometimes taking some homemade goods, like muffins, to your colleagues might speak louder than a thousand words. A kind look, a comforting glance, or a pat on the shoulder can mean a lot to people. Everybody needs kindness after this harrowing disease. 

5. Boost Your Self-Image

Yes, we all know that a better self-image does not start on the outside, but on the inside with the way we speak to ourselves, but getting up a bit earlier in the morning to look your best and dress like the beautiful creature you are will put a spring into your steps as you waltz into the office. It sounds cliche, but it is true that when you look good and you know it, it shows confidence, which in turn boosts your self-image. All of us need a little more confidence nowadays. 

6. Anxiety 

It is true that you might experience some anxiety when returning to the office after such a long time. Some people may find it harder than others to be surrounded by people again, and we need to respect their space and handle them with care. If they choose to keep their distance, or give you a smile as a greeting instead of a fist bump or handshake, we must respect that. 

We have to be sensitive to different people’s needs and comfort levels. With the waning of the disease, people might gradually get reacclimated to their previous routines and environment, but in the meantime we need patience. 

7. Keep Those Channels Open

It is important for those returning to work that they could comfortably talk to the management about difficulties they are facing, and the management must be willing to do as much as possible for the social, emotional, and physical well-being of their employees. 

The first and foremost is keeping the channels of communication open. Employees should be encouraged to freely express how they feel about their professional life and environment. Employers will gain long-lasting trust and loyalty by being there for their employees in this challenging time. Setting up incentives for spending more time together with colleagues and in the office is a good idea, as well as finding out how to get employees motivated about coming back to the office. They might very well feel like stepping on eggshells, but treading carefully with understanding will have its rewards in the long run. 

It is not going to be easy, there will be challenges. But bottom line, we are social beings, and workplaces and colleagues are a large part of our lives. We should step out, be bold, and be there for each other. Who knows? Maybe we needed a shift to go through collectively as humans, however painful it has been. 

We might just come out on the other end of this awful disease as better people, and we might all benefit from a bit more listening, a lot less judging, and a whole lot more care for others and for ourselves.