Hesitancy in returning to the office.

Many HR, L&D and managers are articulating their struggles in attracting teams back into the office.

There is much hesitancy, and it’s valid.

“It’s like coming back from deployment (in your home)” said one employee at a major bank.

Considering the time/money is saved on commuting, going to meetings, eating at work, buying clothes, doing chores, running errands…makes for acceptable reasoning.

HR is struggling with staff expectations that things will be the same as two years ago. There is lack of engagement.

There is heightened anxiety about seeing and being around people (in person) again. Humans are naturally social beings; and WFH left us with a lost sense of belonging.

Something you can do about it.

·       Connect minds @ workplaces with mental skills-based capability training in Attention + Attitude. The goal is to enhance culture and wellbeing.

·       Foster improvements to mental health - Offer workplace meditation with experienced corporate facilitators; With more inner stability and equanimity, teams better accomplish the tasks ahead.

·       Unite the team with the power of a laughter session. Employees who laugh together, work better together.

Together again.

Organisational culture is formed through interacting with, and observing others. It helps to align teams with their overall values of being together in a group.

A lot of information sharing happens in those quick, informal chats during the working day. It also allows for innovation to foster when you’re surrounded by your colleagues who are working towards a common goal.

3 Tips when going into the office:

1.       Go in on days when you have little or no (zoom) meetings on

2.       Engage in human interaction – water cooler chats, soft information is important

3.       Build relationship – go to lunch, crack a joke, be human

There’s no point of sitting at your organisation’s office desk if you’re on Zoom and are wearing headphones all day. What’s more ridiculous is looking up and seeing your colleague with their headphones on, sitting at another desk in the office.

Share your healthy WFH habits with your team:

1.       Exchange knowledge – learn from each other

2.       Make effort to (re)connect as relationships require ongoing effort

3.       Look for ways to improve the status quo

Share them in your team meetings or huddles to enhance your culture, wellbeing and bottom line.

Restart in the office with positive mental habits with the team.

Reach out to explore specific ideas for your team.