Skip to content
Work During the Pandemic

Prepare to Go Back to Work During the Pandemic

Months after the lockdown, people around the world have started going back to work. Going back to work during the pandemic. Albeit in a very different manner than we’re used to. As we all get a little more accustomed to maintaining social distance, disinfecting everything in sight, washing our hands frequently, and walking around wearing masks, the rules have started to ease. Many companies around the world have brought back their staff at a much lower capacity. While others are also maintaining some staff members who continue to work remotely and go into the office on a rotational basis. Companies are implementing various different ways for their employees to return to some semblance of normal and work during the pandemic.

This is to make sure we keep up the economy but also be safe while doing it. So, if you’re one of the few who are being called to make the familiar but yet unfamiliar journey back to the office, here are a few ways you can prepare yourself to stay safe.

Of course, if you have the choice,

Ask if you can work from home

Whether you’re already working from home or your company has just opened up after months of no work, start by asking if you can work from home if that’s an option considering your job profile and industry. If you’ve already been working remotely since the lockdown, then showcase your productivity and efficiency to make your point to your boss. If your company is just starting up and you’ve been called into work during the pandemic, then showcase a compelling plan for how you will carry out your work, be available for virtual meetings, keep in touch with your team, and deliver the way your team needs you to. If not, maybe you can go in only once a week to get on the same page as your team.

Ask the important questions

If you do have to go into work, make sure to ask questions about the steps taken to make your workspace a safe environment. Ask if the space has been disinfected by professional cleaners. Ask if details such as air ducts, air-conditioning units, rugs, etc have been cleaned. Also, ask whether common areas have been sanitized as per the WHO guidelines. Suggest a professional deep clean if some of these steps have not been taken to clean the office space. And most importantly ask for the updated policies, procedures, and guidelines for this new way of working.

Try and avoid crowds while traveling

This might be hard for those who rely on public transport or have to travel a significant distance to reach work. Maybe ask your office for slightly off-peak hours so you can miss the crowd. And still keep up all your basic safety measures like sanitizing your hands, not touching your face, maintaining a distance from people, wearing a mask, etc. If you can use some sort of private transport, or even walk, that’s your best option. But ensure you sanitize your vehicle every time you get out.

Take your own safety measures

Regardless of the measures taken by your place of work and the people around you, make sure you have strict rules and processes in place for yourself. Figure out a routine and process to get comfortable with and follow it everyday that you have to go to work during the pandemic. Make yourself a kit with hand sanitizer, wet wipes, a mask, surgical gloves, and tissues that you can carry with you everyday. Carry an extra pair of gloves and an extra mask as well in your bag for an emergency. While your employer might arrange for much of these items at the workplace, it’s always good to have your own. Also make sure you wipe down your workstation, chair, keyboard, and monitor regularly. Sanitize your hands frequently, especially when you open and close doors or touch surfaces that others might have touched such as in the bathroom, paperwork, and other common utilities. And, try not to touch your face. If you have to use a lift in your office building, remember to take all of the measures you have put in place. If you can avoid the lift and take the stairs, do it, it’s the better option.

Think about lunch

Again, make your own plan for how you will deal with lunch, coffee breaks, or snack breaks. For starters, carry your own lunch and snacks. Definitely also bring your own water bottle and coffee cup. And if possible your own coffee for the day. Also carry your own cutlery and napkins If you can, eat straight out of your lunch box. If you must use a plate, make sure you wash it yourself even if it has already been washed. Try carrying your lunch with a hot pack or ice pack to keep it warm or cold, so you don’t have to use the common refrigerator or microwave at work.

Prepare yourself mentally

Finally, prepare yourself mentally. Take the time to plan this new exhaustive routine. Be mindful of your actions so that you can be as safe as possible. Acknowledge that this is a taxing and big change and it will take a while to become familiar with it. This will be the new routine for a long while so take your time to find normalcy in it. Be patient and at the same time be alert. Keep a regular check on your mental health and if possible, check on your team members as well.

According to a recent study by Qualtrics, 48% of the respondents said things will never be the same again.

We are unsure of how long we will have to be careful and mind our step, so until then keep these points in mind to prepare for your return to the office and a new normal.

Further Reading: https://hbr.org/2020/07/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-return-to-the-office?ab=hero-subleft-2

Summary

Q. How can you make your lunch and break times safer?

A. By carrying your own lunch, food, snacks, water, and coffee and avoiding the use of shared utilities at the office.

Q. How can you take your own safety measures?

A. Make a kit with gloves, a mask, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, and tissue and make sure you sanitize and wipe down your workstation, computer, and keyboard regularly.

Back To Top