As the Government announces a phased exit plan of the lockdown, starting with getting more people back to work, many businesses are now considering reopening their offices. Lots of us will be keen to get back to some form of normality, but having been out of the office for what is now a matter of months, it’s important you plan and prepare for this return thoroughly to avoid any obstacles that may have arisen since shutting down.

This checklist is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but it can help provide guidance as you look to reopen. It’s organised into four sections: People, Workplace, Technology, and Your Customers. Everyone’s situation is unique, but evaluating your plan with these components in mind can help you get organised and anticipate these obstacles.

People

Keep in mind that your team may be nervous about returning to the workplace. If you prepare properly, you can alleviate many concerns for your employees, enabling them to focus on the work, not on the global health crisis. You and your employees should expect that returning to the workplace will not be the same as it was prior to COVID-19. The new normal is, and will be different for the foreseeable future.

Read the full checklist for more advice on preparing your staff.

Workplace

While your establishment may be open, practicing social distancing will still be of utmost importance. Be prepared to make changes to your floor plans, conference rooms, and signage to ensure your employees can abide by social distancing guidelines. Your goal is to create an environment that is safe for all employees.

Read the full checklist for more advice on preparing your workplace.

Technology

Returning to your establishment doesn’t necessarily mean you will be abandoning all of your WFH set-ups. In fact, for most of you, your workforce will likely consist of remote workers for some time to come. In addition, workstations in your establishment may have been sitting idle while everyone worked remotely. Your technology goal is to ensure your employees have what they need to do their jobs effectively while you ensure and maintain a safe and secure work environment. Contact your Managed Service Provider for assistance with all of your technology needs.

Read the full checklist for more advice on getting your technology working for you.

Your Customers

From the perspective of returning to the workplace, once your people, establishment, and technology are in order, it’s time to focus on your customers. This is where you and your team can play a critical role in helping your customers feel comfortable to conduct business with you now that global health crisis restrictions have been lifted.

Read the full checklist for more advice on focusing on your customers.

For advice and support on enabling your technology for returning to the office, give our IT Support experts a call on 01392 207 194 or email us today.