Dawn Hardman, Director of HR,
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
As many businesses are beginning to take the first tentative steps towards returning to the workplace, we are all being faced with challenges that are new to us. As always, the safety of our people remains our priority and any return will continue to be health-led. This has required the introduction of many new procedures and the creation of a new and different work environment in order to comply with social distancing measures. Whilst there is no doubt that considerable effort has been invested and will continue to be needed to ensure our workplaces are ready for our “new normal”, we of course must not forget to consider how our people are feeling about their impending return to work. The lockdown period and remote working has shown that are people adaptable and flexible. We have all had to be – due to the urgency of going into lockdown, allowing very little thinking time and preparation. Our returns to work will be much more thought-out and structured and should follow a consultative approach – ensuring information regarding the arrangements we put into place are communicated and that our teams have the opportunity to ask questions and clarification in order for them to be reassured.
Not surprisingly, we are seeing different perspectives from individuals regarding their return to work. On the one hand, there is excitement and positivity about resuming pre-lockdown working arrangements and interacting with colleagues again. But for many, the pandemic has proved to be an extremely anxious and stressful time and plans for our return to work are now contributing to that anxiety. The most pressing concern is whether the environment we are returning to will be safe. Incidences of what some people are referring to as “coronaphobia”, are becoming more common.
Businesses have difficult decisions to make about returning to work. There are economic reasons and priorities which must be balanced and considered against the health risks. Add to this the anxieties many are experiencing and our duty of care to our employees, creates a confusing situation.
It is important to continue to actively communicate, consult, invite feedback and really understand the factors associated with feelings of anxiety. Often, once the arrangements in place have been fully explained the anxiety decreases. However, people will feel anxious about different things. For example, it could be fear of catching the virus, fear of interacting with others again, fear about the future or the business and what operational changes or re-structures might be on the horizon. Whilst it is difficult to give definite answers in a lot of cases, at the very least the concerns may be discussed and open dialogue and transparency may help remove some of the anxieties surrounding what at the moment is an unknown future.
For those who express genuine concerns about returning to a physical workplace then homeworking may be viewed as (and will be) a viable option. Many businesses therefore are now reviewing the remote working arrangements which they have operated over the last few months and it is looking likely that there will be a move towards more flexible working in the future. This would go a long way towards alleviating the anxiety brought about by “coronaphobia”.
Businesses may now have some difficult decisions to make. Not least of which is how to balance the concerns of individuals whilst also ensuring the business continues to operate effectively and efficiently. Whilst of course it is important the ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of its teams, there will be business factors and constraints which may necessitate a physical return to work. This means ensuring that as well as arrangements working for the individual, it must also work for the business. In a lot of cases, compromises may need to be reached to find a mutually acceptable arrangement.
As business are increasingly empowered to use discretion and best judgement when considering their return to work planning we should remember that engaging, consulting and understanding of individual needs will be at the heart of the success of our return to the workplace.
A wellness action plan (WAP) is an invaluable tool in helping to understand the specific concerns of individuals and presents and opportunity to discuss and consider what may alleviate the anxieties surrounding the transition in the workplace.
In summary, there are undoubtedly interesting and challenging times ahead for all of us. However, there has never been as much focus as there is now in a health-led approach to work. As long as this becomes and remains our normal, we will hopefully see a decrease in anxiety levels surrounding the virus which we must all now learn to live alongside for the foreseeable future.
The Chamber is proud to be a partner in the successful Worcestershire Works Well health and wellbeing accreditation program. Now, more than ever, health and wellbeing will play a crucial role in how people feel about being at work. We are looking forward to now continuing this work with our signed up businesses and, of course welcoming new organisations who are seeing the value in promoting health led programs in the workplace.
For more information surrounding HR, join our Chamber LinkedIn Group.
If you are interested in becoming a Member, find out more here.