How to Prevent the Return to Offices From Being an Emotional Roller Coaster | MIT Sloan Management Review

As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, an eventual return to the workplace is in closer view. This anticipation has left many workers feeling a range of emotions—from excitement to anxiety. This article shares six steps leaders can take to help manage the emotions workers feel about “returning to the office.” 1) Be transparent, 2) Surface concerns early on, 3) Discuss expectations, 4) Involve your people, 5) Highlight what your teams will gain with in-person time, 6) Present the change as an experiment. Regarding #2 (surfacing concerns), the authors offer five survey questions to understand worker preferences and concerns, such as: What will make the return to the office easier for you? Concerning # 3 (discuss expectations), the article provides a list of five communication norm examples that will support productivity and prevent burnout considering hybrid work, including “all meetings will have a video link to ensure that remote team members can join.” Regardless of a firm’s return-to-work timeline, these steps offer a way to foster certainty about the future while reducing stress and anxiety within the workforce.