Many of us are returning to the office for the first time in months but it is a very different workplace than the one we left. Communicating the changes ahead of time with your staff can help ease a bumpy transition.
New Covid-19 related health and safety processes have resulted in big changes to the way we work. With many companies looking to have staff return to their offices, many employees may be feeling nervous about coming back in.
Timely and well thought out communications can play a key role in helping your team feel more comfortable about returning. Fear of the unknown is a powerful thing. It is important that people feel they know what to expect and know that they will be protected.
Most employers will have spent weeks pulling together new health and safety policies and procedures to make sure their staff are protected. However, many will not have communicated the changes with the staff the measures are meant to protect.
So what should you bear in mind when communicating with your employees about their return to the office?
Communicate with your team the way they like to communicate
This may be via social media, or through a more personal touch such as individual video calls.
A multi-platform approach to communications can be very effective – just make sure that they are all issued as closely together as you can manage so no one feels less important.
Your managers should know their teams well enough to help guide the process to ask for their input.
Think carefully about the language you use
It can be easy to deploy corporate language and tone of voice but when talking to people about a topic which will impact them so directly a more personal tone is more suitable.
You do not want to appear cold and insensitive to their worries.
Be sensitive to individual circumstances
Some of your staff may have been in the shielding group and therefore understandably be very worried about a return to the office environment.
Others may have childcare issues. Schools and nurseries are back open but many have closed their doors or are taking reduced numbers of pupils. You may need to be flexible if you can and make sure they know you are approachable for discussing individual circumstances.
Don’t wing it
The best internal communications take days, or even weeks, to craft.
Take your time and make sure the message is right well in advance of starting to talk to staff about returning to the office.
Seek another pair of eyes
If in doubt discuss with a good communications professional.
Communications professionals can act as a word smith, as well as providing broader advice on how to communicate any potentially sensitive changes.
We can help make sure your communications are as clear as can be, to help avoid misunderstandings damaging your relationships with your staff. Afterall, they are your most important asset.
Brandon Consulting Services Ltd 