If you’re an employer and your company is finally returning to an in-office work setup, these tips can help you get your employees prepared:

1. Allow Your Employees to Process Things

Returning to an in-office work setup might be a major transition for those that have become used to working from home, so it’s important to create an office environment where employers are free to just pause, breathe, and take it all in.

2. Bring Them Up to Speed

Conduct an orientation where employees can get a better idea of what the “new normal” office setup looks like. During the orientation, you can express your goals concerning productivity and upholding health and safety protocols. This will also be an avenue for employees to ask questions.

3. Orient Them About New Rules and Policies

Tell your employees about new rules and policies, particularly those concerning sanitation, cleanliness, distancing, and other matters related to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.

4. Support Your Employees

One of the best things employers can do to help employees adjust to this new work dynamic is by acknowledging that the pandemic has turned things around and that the in-office situation is not the way it used to. Assure your employees that you will all work together as a team and that you’re willing to help and support one another one day at a time.

5. Provide an Updated Employee Handbook

It might be time to revisit the employee handbook to see if everything there still accurately reflects the current work setup—otherwise, certain terms and provisions might have to be changed. The handbook should reflect all changes, additions to existing policies, etc.

If you need help reviewing your company’s employee handbook, an employment attorney can help you. Learn more about employee handbooks and other employment and business-related matters from a merger attorney here.