You may have read or heard quite a lot recently in the news about how government wants workers to return to the office and naturally this might make you nervous, anxious or worried ect (especially if you are not already back in the office) but this need not be the case says our media and communications volunteer who recently returned to the office for his paid job, and offers below some idea on what it might be like for you and how it will work ect, where there are likely to be numerous steps involved.

1. The initial talk

Any potential return to work is likely to start with a conversation from your manager mostly likely over telephone where they will ask you how you feel about returning work either full or part time and if you are willing and able to go back to the office and work and if you are able to safely/feel safe getting to the office. Whilst having this conversation your manager should give you the chance to express your views about returning to work and any fears you may have about this, so be open and honest as your manager should listen to your concerns and allow you to ask questions,  and may also state that this is your decision and not a demand to return to the office.  As part of this conversation you may be sent a health questionnaire to fill in and given a few details on how the office has been made covid 19 secure.

2. Committing to going back to office.

If you have said yes to going back to office as part of step 1 above, it is very likely that you will be given instructions on what to do on your first day and depending on the (size of the) company and size of the office you may have to attend a meeting beforehand  most probably online also detailing what to expect /do on day one and also explain how the office has been made covid 19 secure and procedures in place,  such as due to the size of the office you may be allocated a  specific desk that is not the normal one you would sit at.

3. Your first day

On your first day back you may have to arrive at a certain time and then wait in reception along with others, as its very likely you will be given (by a manager most likely) a tour of the office/key things to note, explaining again what things have been put in place to make the office Covid 19 secure including what you can and can’t do, any procedures in place and no go areas. Depending on the size of your office/company or workforce there might be staggered start or end times and to ensure the return to work is safe and be that people return to work in phases to manage the flow.

4 How the office looks

There are likely to be a number of changes to the office when you first return which could include

• You will have to maintain social distancing at all times where your office may be plastered with stickers reminding you of this, with stickers of feet on the floor and the introduction of a one way system, with the way you enter the building being different to how you exit. There will most likely be restrictions on how you use the lifts (if your office has them) and how many are allowed on them.
• Due to social distancing it means that the number of workstations available will be reduced where there may be stickers indicating which desks you can and can’t use.
• Talking of desks you will probably be told that at the end of the day you will have to take all your stuff home as you will not be allowed to keep stuff on your desk as it will be cleaned at the end of each day by the cleaners.
• There may be restrictions on the equipment e.g. printers you can use and how may can be in areas where equipment is held.
• To maintain social distancing toilets may be changed including making certain wash basins out of action, reducing the number of cubicles in use and in men’s toilets making the urinals out of use.
• Depending on your company and what they have in place there may be restrictions on communal spaces such as meeting rooms, office canteen or the social spaces in each floor. This could range from them being out of bounds, limits on the amount of people allowed in these areas or restrictions on what you can do such as using the equipment to make a cup of tea or having lunch with work colleagues.
• Finally speaking of lunch depending on what your company does you may be asked to bring in your own lunch and have it at your desk.