Every change in the work situation of employees can cause a reaction and shift of attitude. When moving back to working on-site, new rules and procedures will be implemented for some time. This will affect the dynamic of teams and can cause conflicts in some cases.

Here are three things you can do to successfully welcome employees back to the workplace:

1. Hold team meetings with employees to discuss new guidelines and procedures to apply social distancing.
2. Give employees an opportunity to express how their feeling and engage in discussion. These meetings are best done in smaller groups by department or functional teams.
3. Provide guidelines and training on how employees should confront one another when someone is not respecting the new rules and procedures. You want people to act with respect and not have conflicts erupt that will impact teamwork and performance.

There three steps or guidelines are very easy to implement but should be done with care, so people feel free to share how they are feeling without fear of repercussion.

This is a stressful time for everyone as confinement feels like one’s freedom has been taken and of course the concerns about jobs and money come into play. Promote a culture of mutual support and get everyone working towards positive outcomes for all.