On this episode I’m sharing some of the key considerations for reducing the stress of returning to the workplace. I talk about questions to consider as well as key ways to help your people return in a smooth and stress free way that keeps engagement and productivity high.

There’s lots of people I’m talking to where leaders are wanting people back to the office now, soon and quickly.

Individuals are already asking me for tips on how to cope with that so stress levels are definitely rising.

I share some of the questions and concerns that I’ve been hearing on my workshops and calls so that you can be aware of them too!

There are key ways you can help alleviate the anxiety of people in your offices and workplaces that you’ll want to have a listen to so that you can reducing the stress of returning to the workplace.

Also think about what messages you want to get out there from your Directors or leadership team.

That means you need to think about ways to share plans in a way that reduces the stress of returning to the workplace.

Perhaps you have an ‘all hands call’ or create a briefing to go out everyone that answers key questions and includes the little bits of information such as what they do about getting coffee.

I know it sounds like a lot of work but if it calms people down, gives them what to expect and creates a sense of knowledge and sense of control it will be worth it in the long run. 

When we don’t have info or we have bits missing our brains full in the gaps with stories. Often those stories are full of risk and danger and doom and gloom. So whatever you do to alleviate that is going to be good for you and good for business. 

People work better when they know what to expect. You take them with you on the journey rather than drag them behind. 

Assess the risk of stress and anxiety on your people. They’ve been out of office for 12 months some of them. 

Do you have a stress risk assessment?  There’s ones on HSE. You might need it. 

Encourage all line managers to have 1:1 check ins and remember to ask twice how they are and how they’re feeling – and ensure active listening. 

This help, support and advice is in my Mental Health Awareness for Managers workshops so get in touch with me if you want to talk about what that looks like and how it can be implemented in your organisation.

In a recent study by Beneden Health their results say “there’s a stark difference between what employers think they are doing and what employees think” – that’s not good news!

They also said “More than half employees don’t feel their mental wellbeing is a priority“

Helping your managers be able to help your people will reduce the levels of stress if returning to the workplace, anxiety and Mental Health issues will also be reduced. That in turn makes a better workplace practice, policies and performance. 

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If you want to be increasing your performance so that you’re more resilient in these current times, so that you can focus easily, use tools and techniques to deal with all the current and unknown challenges then make sure that you either drop me an email to emma@emmalangton.com .   Or head over to my contact page and either send me a email from there or book an appointment straight into my diary – saving all that to-ing and fro-ing that you get when we try to get space in people’s diary.