Lockdown restrictions have seen many Australians settle into a working-from-home lifestyle. As these restrictions gradually ease across the country, many workers are already suggesting they are going to miss being at home. It is important that as workplaces begin to bring their staff back to work, employers work hard to keep their staff energised, connected, engaged and motivated.
There are a number of things employers can do to help lift staff’s spirits about being back at work. Here are my top six tips from Office National customers for settling your staff back into the office and ready for productive post-pandemic work.
1. Reward staff with new stationery and desk supplies
Who doesn’t love new stationery? Whether it is colourful highlighters, some new pens and fineliners, a convenient desk organiser, or desk accessory kits – small things like these can pep up people’s moods and give them a lift. As an employer, consider gifting a ‘back to work’ pack to staff – stationery as an inexpensive, yet immediate mood raiser. Desk and work accessories including gaming keyboards that change colour, interesting mice and mice pads, headsets and monitors are some great examples of fun gifts for your staff.
2. Facilitate creative activities for your staff
As humans, we all have our own individualistic creative flare. In this return to work transition, consider providing staff with brush pens, erasable fineliners, paint markers, coloured pencils, crayons and oil pastel pens, and invite them to get creative. Creative activities bring people together, create a sense of community and give staff something to look forward to. Adult colouring and activities are also known to relieve stress while exercising the brain, promoting problem-solving and sparking creativity. Artworks created by staff can be displayed in the kitchen area each week and even framed or showcased around the office.
3. Bring your pet to work
Whilst spending more time at home, many of your staff will have coincidently spent more time with their pets. Research shows that pets in the workplace reduce stress and nurture productivity. A popular, low-maintenance option is a fish tank. They are known to reduce anxiety levels and also promote positive moods.
4. Celebrate milestones across the office
A celebration gives staff an extra confidence boost, and a fun break to recharge and keep focused when they return to work. Celebrating your first week or month back at the office, people’s birthdays, or an exciting world day are great opportunities to boost employee morale and show them that they are valued. Individually wrapped treats and biscuits are ideal as they do not need to be shared – post-pandemic parties will be a little different but totally achievable.
5. Introduce fitness and wellness equipment
With restrictions beginning to relax, everyone is eager to get moving again. There are so many options to inject some fun and quirky fitness and wellness items into your workplace. As many employees flag their reservations about return to work, introducing exciting upgrades to their office space could be the answer. Some great easy-to-use options include; sit stand desks, spin cycle desks and Safco Zenergy swivel ball chairs!
Workplaces will eventually find a new type of normal, but it is important for all employers to do as much as they can to support staff to feel comfortable and happy back at work. When the restrictions lift completely, you’ll be thankful that you invested your time into easing your staff out of their home offices and into productive post-pandemic work habits.
Gavin Ward, CEO, Office National
