Jobs of the future - return to work

3 Changes to Expect When You Return to Work During COVID-19

For many people, the past year has been an endless loop of Zoom calls, and balancing work and family schedules while working remotely. But as employers begin to reopen their office—thanks to the availability of vaccines—spaces, employees will have to consider if they want to return to work.

The office of old will not return! New policies and work plans will need to be implemented to make the transition easier and safe..

In this blog, we will cover the most prominent changes you may experience as you return to work in the age of new normal.

1. Changes in Work Environment

The new work environment will be dominated by health and safety precautions. This means that special attention will be given to safety measures like wearing masks, washing your hands regularly, and cleaning and sanitization. 

Another major change you can expect to see is a hybrid model of working i.e. a semi-permanent work from home policy. Also, be prepared to see some roles become permanently remote. 

Companies will take every possible precaution to avoid exposure to other employees or customers.

2. Changes to Business Operations

Even business operations will be heavily guided by  health considerations. The CDC recommends to be prepared for daily health monitoring and screening when you return to work. This can include in-person or virtual checks for a variety of COVID related symptoms or temperature monitoring which should be less than 100.4°F or 38.0°C.

You can also expect to see increased communication around health from your employers. Employers will encourage those employees to stay at home who are sick or show any symptoms of the disease.

3. Changes in Work Relationships

How you work with your colleagues will be one of the most significant changes you’ll notice when you return to work. Unlike before, you’ll be expected to maintain physical distance from your colleagues. This could result in modification of workspaces, flexible work hours like rotating shifts, or working from home on certain days.

You might also expect less in-person meetings and limited or no access to common areas like breakrooms, kitchens, and pantry areas. 

Be Prepared to Return to Work

If your company has outlined a return-to-work policy then these are some things to consider and be prepared for. But, don’t let these changes overwhelm you. We understand that the decision to step out for work is not going to be an easy one. More so, because work from home has given us immense flexibility in the last year. But with proper precautionary measures and vaccination, you can always reduce the risk from exposure. 

Needless to say, even after the return-to-work policy, many employers are still going to keep it light and flexible. This will not only allow you to keep safe but also give you some time available to pursue your passions like learning a new skill. 

So, if you find time to upskill yourself then take advantage of our offers and enroll in a Nanodegree program today.

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Ritika Pradhan
Ritika Pradhan
Ritika is the Content Manager at Udacity and is passionate about bringing inspirational student stories to light. When not talking to the amazing Udacity students, she can be found reading an article or watching a video on the internet.