How employers can make returning to the office go smoothly

As more people begin returning to the office it is coming with its struggles for many employees. A survey showed that 1 in 3 employees felt a negative impact on their mental health when returning to the office. Employers can help make this transition easier for their staff by easing them back into the office gradually and making the workplace a healthier and more supportive environment.

One way in which employers can support staff is by allowing flexibility in how, when and where they work. The pandemic has introduced new technologies to make hybrid working easier and more accessible, this means that not everything needs to be done from the office, especially amongst colleagues who have significant experience and can work without supervision. Allowing flexibility for employees’ schedules means that they can carry out their care responsibilities. It’s important that employers promote a work-life balance for all employees to attract the best talent. Encouraging employees to not be available all of the time will help create a healthier, happier workforce and can ultimately lead to greater productivity.

Providing mental health support in the workplace can allow employees to feel they are being heard and can access help if needed. Regular mental health check-ins and normalising the conversation around mental health can make it easier for employees to speak about how they feel and what help they need from their employer to support them. This in turn makes it easier for an employer to identify issues and concerns amongst staff and ensure that they are discharging their duty of care towards their employees. A further benefit of this approach is that it can minimise the risks of legitimate complaints, grievances and potentially employment tribunal claims. 

For further advice, don’t hesitate to contact our Employment team on 01302 341414.