We are all well aware that we are living in a new chapter of this world, that this moment will be chronicled in history books for our children to learn from.

What will the chapter objectives be though? We can imagine that it will highlight the socioeconomic impact, the culture that evolved from the quarantine (Yes, your TikTok could very well be embedded into the digital textbooks; I hope it was good!), the precautions made by individual governments, the backlash when citizens grew into their unrest and lack of haircuts, and of course, the precautions made by all who ventured out of their houses when the spike began to diminish. 

What do you want those textbooks to say about how your employees fared in the workplace following the pandemic? Well we at Howard Webb have created a guide for you to ponder as you begin welcoming your work force back to the physical office, and away from the never ending Zoom meetings. 

Physically Safe:

To start things off, you need to ensure that you are following the guidelines set forth by the CDC in regards to the actual cleanliness, and the policies to uphold them, in your office.

Aside from providing the basics of hand sanitizer, masks, and socially distanced work stations, it would be wise of you to disinfect the facility before reopening.

As this section itself could be an entire post, we have decided to simply link you to the CDC’s website that will guide you through all steps to ensure you have the most accurate representation of what to do and what not to do! Check it all out here!

Emotionally Safe: 

There will be many feelings surrounding the pandemic. Some people will be distraught over the loss of their loved ones and experiences, others will be indifferent about everything and simply not care about the pause the Earth took, and then there will be those that are bitter and angry about any aspect of the pandemic. Each of these individual’s feelings are valid, and they need to be heard. 

Taking the time to listen to your employees grievances (or lack there of) will be beneficial for you in the long run when it comes to operating your business. Whether you choose to hold a staff meeting where your employees are given the opportunity to share their feelings, or you hold one on one check ins with each of your employees, or choose to do both, they will be thankful that you made the effort to allow their voices to be heard. 

An article written on the Smarp blog page shares a variety of statistics regarding employee engagement in the workplace, and its effects on business growth and revenue. Would you be surprised to hear that 69% of employees say they would work harder if they were better appreciated? It’s definitely something to consider!

Addressing the Stereotypes:

Whether we like it or not, there are going to be stereotypes that follow the COVID19 outbreak. There will be individuals who play the blame game; which, looking for a source to take your less than jolly emotions out on, is actually a natural human instinct.

You may have employees who contracted Coronavirus, overcame their sickness, and are now on their way back to their desks. First thing to note is that no one is obligated to share their medical history with their coworkers, and that needs to be shared with all your employees to ensure that no one feels pressure to “come clean”, because there is no shame surrounding their previous illness.

We suggest holding a meeting to discuss the previous point, as well as that the stigmas about the virus, and those who have been afflicted by it, will not be tolerated. The employees who were themselves, or had family, that were physically affected will be thankful and feel safe in your business, and the ones who have been lucky to evade COVID19 may develop a better understanding of the pandemic, but it will ultimately further the safe space you want to foster in your business. 

Looking to the Future:

There will be many changes and shifts as time and the downturn of Coronavirus progresses, but paying attention to your employees wants and needs should always be a prevalent part of your business structure. Maybe this is a wake up call for you as you run your business? Maybe this was already something on your mind? Regardless of where you were before reading this article, we at Howard Webb hope to see you, and your employees, getting started on the right foot as you return to your workplace.

As always, we are here for you, and we are rooting for you!

Article written by contract writer, Candace Cox. You can reach out to her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.