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Support for returning to the office

by | Jul 13, 2021 | News

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It’s uncertain when and if we will ever fully get back to ‘normality’. For sure we feel that we will always be having a conversation with employers regarding Covid in some form in the future.  We have seen the coronavirus restrictions starting to ease and we are all hopeful that this will continue through to the 19th July and beyond. Whilst the message at present is encouraging people to work from home where possible, we are seeing a lot of businesses open up and as a result an influx of employees have returned to the workplace whether full time/part time or as part of a hybrid model.

 

If you’re a business owner or manager, you are most probably thinking about the future of your business. Will you continue to or be able to offer flexible working? What support will you put in place for returning staff? How can you make the best use of your office space with potential social distancing in mind?

 

Here are a few tips on how you can support your staff that are still working remotely or coming back to the office:

 

Encourage regular breaks

It’s easier to work longer hours and take less breaks when you’re working from home. The best way to manage this is to encourage employees to set reminders in their mobile device when they plan to take a break or even finish work for the day. Encourage   lunch breaks away from the screen – take a quick walk and get some fresh air. It’s important that the managers in the office are setting a good example and taking care of their own wellbeing in order to best support/advise their team.

 

Home working

A lot of businesses have been able to adapt to remote working where they wouldn’t have thought possible in the past.  Research has shown that having the flexibility to work from home, avoiding long and arduous travelling into the workplace and not having to be involved in office distractions really play a part with mental well-being.

 

Risk assessments and health/safety measures

You should be taking risk management approaches seriously in these testing times. Keeping up to date with the latest government and public health guidance is also essential. To maintain the workplace protection and hygiene measures, keep reminding your employees about regularly washing their hands and provide hand sanitising stations around the office – preferably at every desk. If your premises have been closed for a long period of time, you should consider carrying out deep cleans before the reopening. Review cleaning arrangements, communicate processes to your employees and have provisions in place in the event that employees test positive for Covid or have to isolate due to being in contact with someone who does.

 

With the imminent school summer holidays, a few parents will be breathing a sigh of relief that they won’t have to contend with multiple isolation periods for their children in the classroom bubbles!

 

At Spire HR we can help with advice, support, payroll, and much more – we do this on a flexible retainer basis. If you have any questions or need advice about anything that is mentioned in the blog, then we are here to help!

 

Get in touch via 01925 626253 or info@spirehr.co.uk

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AGP have used Spire HR Solutions Limited for numerous matters relating to HR issues for both ourselves and clients of the practice. I have always found them to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful and to be very responsive to our needs.

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I would say ‘key’ to her service is the confidence she provides with the HR guidance, I know without doubt that when dealing with my employees I follow the correct procedure and staff feel confident that they have the right HR support. The guidance on our bonus structure and appraisal scheme is one of many examples in which Ellen’s guidance has been invaluable.

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