Key Highlights for Transitioning Back to In-Office Work
- Strategize your return to the office to ensure a seamless transition back into the groove of in-person work.
- Prepare your office supplies and personal belongings for the move, taking inventory of essential items.
- Develop coping mechanisms for any anxiety or stress associated with returning to the office, and know what to do if you're not ready.
- If relocating for work, investigate moving companies thoroughly, considering affordability and provided services.
- Understand your company's role in creating a smooth transition, including resources and clarity on new office policies.
As the professional world changes after the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies and governmental entities require employees to transition from remote work to in-office work. From Amazon and Google to the federal government, workers have to transition back to either hybrid or fully in-office work arrangements, which can understandably cause some issues to arise, especially if you have been working from home for a long time.
This big shift may mean relocating to a new city or location as part of the in-office moving process, changing your daily routines, and adjusting to a different work environment. This helpful guide will give you tips for transitioning from a home office environment to an in-office work arrangement a bit easier.
Understanding the Shift from Remote to In-Person Work
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become a common practice. It provided a lot of flexibility. However, now that the pandemic is behind us and businesses and agencies require in-person work, returning to the office means new things to consider. This change affects how people work, communicate, and feel at work. Now, many individuals need to rethink their daily habits, what they expect from their jobs, and if any massive lifestyle changes need to happen.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Work Environments
The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we see working. Many businesses began to focus on remote work and quickly started using digital tools for employees to do their work from a home office setup. During this time, people noticed how vital flexibility and work-life balance are. This made many think about whether traditional in-person work is necessary.
However, as the pandemic ended and the threat to public health abated, companies and government entities have begun to bring their employees into the office for their work. This includes local employees and those hired during the pandemic who were located across or out of state. This has naturally caused some concern and unease, as many of these employees don't know where to start for an in-office work transition from fully remote working.
Trends in Returning to the Office
As employers mandate new return-to-work policies, employees must find ways to adjust to these new requirements. Companies are changing how they use office space and assisting employees in transitioning to in-office work. Office supplies and technology are becoming important as many prepare their places for hybrid or in-person work. There is a high demand for ergonomic furniture and tech accessories as employees want to maintain some comfort and functionality in their workspaces, such as when working from home.
Many businesses are changing to meet new employee expectations, adopting hybrid work models and flexible schedules to accommodate employee expectations. But how does one prepare for the transition? Going from fully remote to even 2 to 3 days in the office can be a jarring experience!
Preparing for the Transition Back to the Office
A smooth return to the office needs good planning and preparation by both the employee and the employer. You can make things much easier by organizing your belongings, getting needed supplies, and preparing your mind for the change. Look at your current routine. See what needs to be changed, like planning your commute to dodge rush hour or making plans for child or pet care during the days you must be in the office.
Talking openly with your employer and coworkers can help with this and set proper expectations for in-office work arrangements. This allows everyone to understand expectations and re-learn any new office rules. Being ready for this change's practical and emotional sides will help make the experience less stressful.
Assessing Your Home Office Setup
Take a look at your home office setup. Proper planning will help you decide what office furniture and equipment you will take to the new office. Think about the space available in your new in-office location. If you have a home office, determine what items can stay there, as you will be splitting time between home and the office if you are working hybrid. This is a great time to tidy up and organize your workspace by getting rid of things you do not need, including unnecessary paperwork. Good packing supplies, like sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing tape, will simplify the packing process.
Before you begin packing stuff to bring to your new working environment, be sure to have a discussion with your employer about what you can bring into the office with you. If you have a unique ergonomic chair, humidifier, etc., that you want to bring with you, ask if you can bring such items into the office before making your plans. Setting expectations early or asking for permission beforehand can make the transition easier.
What to Bring Back to the Office
As you prepare to move things back to your new office, consider the most critical stuff you need to be fully locked into your work. Here are some key items to consider:
- Essential office supplies: Make sure to take items like pens, notepads, staplers, and other supplies you need every day, including a labeling system for organizing your stuff.
- Personal effects: Bring along photos, plants, or any personal things that make your workspace feel better or more personalized, including artwork. These will help make your new office space feel more personal. Just be sure to ask your supervisor or employer first about any rules in the office for such items.
- Essential documents: Don't forget to get any physical copies of important documents, like contracts or project plans, that you need for your work. Additionally, ensure you have your sensitive documents organized, as they are essential for your peace of mind during the transition.
Don't take everything with you, though - if you're moving to a hybrid work setup, you might want to keep some items in your home office to maintain that working space. Do your best to balance what you need in both work environments to be successful.
Managing Potential Feelings of Anxiety or Stress
Returning to the office after a long time of working remotely can bring on feelings of anxiety or stress, especially if you have to make a long drive into the office in a heavy-traffic area. It's important to recognize these feelings and use some ways to manage stress. Begin by slowly changing your routine in the weeks before you go back. This can mean waking up earlier, adding in some light exercise, or practicing mindfulness. You can also begin planning a route into work and home from work, finding backroads or alternative routes in case traffic gets backed up.
If you feel overwhelmed by potential disruptions, discuss your concerns with your supervisor or HR. They can help by offering support like flexible work options or resources. Talking openly with your team members can also help reassure you and build a supportive work atmosphere.
Making a Local or Long-Distance Move for Return to Work Policies
In some situations, return-to-work policies may require you to make a local or long-distance move because of new company rules. Moving for work brings both new opportunities and challenges. It means you need to plan and carry it out carefully to avoid as much stress as possible, especially when it comes to picking the right moving company to help make the move simple.
How to Make a Move for Return to Work
If you are moving to a new location, start by researching it well. Learn about your housing options, transportation, internet options, local culture, cost of living, etc. One of the first things to do when you begin the moving process is to make or download a moving checklist to help you stay organized. A good moving checklist will help you keep track and plan out key dates and major tasks that need to be done. To that end, break the moving process into smaller tasks that you can tackle more easily over time. This includes finding a place to live, packing, and updating your new address - by tackling these one at a time, you can make the process a bit easier to manage.
Hiring a moving company, especially local moving companies, can make your move easier, especially if it is long-distance. Depending on the provider and solution you choose, they can take care of the logistics for you and make everything go more smoothly. When picking movers, get several quotes, read reviews, weigh their unique solutions, and check that they have experience with moves like yours.
Choosing a Mover to Help Move
Choosing the right professional moving company is absolutely vital for a smooth move. Start by getting referrals and recommendations from people you trust or by looking online. Read reviews from past customers to see how reliable they are and the quality of their service. Consider the differences in solutions as well. There are several ways you can make your move happen: renting a traditional moving truck, going the long-haul truck route, or getting a portable moving and storage container delivered to your home.
Renting a moving truck might seem like a good option - especially for local moves - until you consider all of the work you need to do yourself, including picking up the truck, driving it yourself, packing, and unpacking at your new home as quickly as possible before you incur fees. Long-haul trucks can sound simple for long-distance moves until you consider that many movers force you to make your move happen on their schedule, which might be inconvenient for you. They also may have another mover's belongings on the same truck as yours, which means they will need to offload those belongings somewhere else, making your moving timeline a moving target.
Portable moving and storage containers take all the best qualities from both solutions and add even more flexibility to the equation. 1-800-PACK-RAT, for example, makes moving and storage with their containers simple. Here is how it works: you can have a container delivered to your home on your schedule that you can take as long as you need to pack. They will then pick up the container when packed and deliver it to your new home or place it into storage for as long as you need at any of their 75+ nationwide storage facilities - no driving or worrying about the logistics! Their containers are also constructed of all steel to resist the elements and have barn-style doors that provide more packing space and security. Compared to other portable container providers, 1-800-PACK-RAT's containers and services are unbeatable.
No matter what service you use to make your in-office work relocation, make sure it works on your schedule and provides you with the flexibility and services you need during a stressful time.
Ask Your Employer About Relocation Assistance
Before choosing a mover, talk to your employer about commercial relocation help for a successful office move. Many companies will be willing to support employees who are moving for their jobs with a relocation stipend. This help can include paying for packing services, transportation costs, or even temporary housing. Any little bit helps, and most employers should have a program to assist with these costs for your job.
Your Company's Role in Easing the Return to Work
Your company's role in easing the return to work is crucial. By providing support and resources for their employees during office relocation and office move planning, they can help reduce stress and ensure a smooth transition back to work. Companies looking to move their workforce closer to the office should explore flexible moving and storage solutions like 1-800-PACK-RAT that can make the process easier and more convenient for their employees. Additionally, offering relocation assistance programs can further alleviate financial burdens and streamline the relocation process.
By working together with your employer and utilizing available resources, returning to work can be a seamless experience for everyone involved.
Providing Resources for a Smooth Transition
Providing comprehensive resources for a smooth transition back to work is essential for both employees and employers. Companies can greatly support their staff during the office move process by offering relocation assistance programs. These programs can range from covering packing and transportation costs to providing temporary housing, all of which help alleviate the financial burden on employees. Moreover, flexible moving and storage services ensure convenience and ease during the transition period. Through collaboration and access to necessary resources, returning to work can indeed be a seamless experience for everyone involved.
Moving Your Home Office Back to the Corporate Environment
If you are going back to working in person or starting a mix of home and office work, you need to be organized and plan what you want to bring with you to your office space and what you want to leave at home. Moving your home office back into the company space takes some consideration and a talk with your manager or company to determine what is and isn't allowed at your in-office workspace.
Organizing and Decluttering Before the Move
Before you pack a single box, take some time to clean up and organize your home office. Go through your files, books, and office supplies to reduce clutter. Throw away anything old or not needed. Take this time to start organizing your workspace - you need it to be as agile as you are, especially if you are working on a hybrid schedule. If you work more than two days a week in the office, you might consider taking a few more things to your office workspace to make it more like your own.
Start by making a checklist and listing everything you will need at your new in-office workspace, such as pens, sticky notes, mouse pad, keyboard, etc. If you know ahead of time what the company is providing, you might be able to ask for a keyboard or a mouse if one isn't initially being provided. It never hurts to ask your company if they can provide an essential tool for your job!
A checklist also gives you a clear guide to follow and makes sure you don’t forget anything important. Sort your belongings based on how important and easy they are to pack. This will help you move through the packing process step by step.
Essential Packing Tips and Tricks
Having the right packing supplies can make your in-office move-in easier to accomplish. Get good quality boxes in different sizes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Label each box clearly with what is inside and where it goes, especially if fragile items may require special handling. This will save you time and help reduce confusion when you unpack.
When packing fragile items like electronics, such as a printer, a keyboard, or delicate office decorations, be careful. Wrap these items in bubble wrap or soft packing material. You might want to keep valuable items or important documents separate and move those by yourself.
- Use clothing and towels as packing material: This helps save money and gives your stuff extra cushioning when moving it back into the office.
- Pack heavier items in smaller boxes: This makes them easier to lift and lowers the chance that they will be damaged during your office move.
- Take photos of electronic setups: This will help when you put them back together, especially if you are forced to break down your technology setup either at home or in the office each time you switch locations.
If you want to save a bit of money, you can get free packing supplies from places such as Facebook Marketplace or around your home.
Navigating the Hybrid Work Model
For many people, going back to work means getting used to a new way of doing things, including getting used to the hybrid work model. This means finding the right balance between working in the office and working from home. This will initially take some time when you first start going into the office, but you will find ways to ease stress here and there the more you go in.
Balancing In-Person and Remote Work
The secret to balancing in-person and remote work is to make a schedule that fits your work style and needs. Choose certain days for office work that need teamwork or direct contact. Set aside other days for working from home so you can concentrate on your own tasks. Having a clear line between your work life and personal life helps you keep boundaries and lowers the chance of burnout.
If your commute to work isn't moving-worthy, but you still have a long commute, speak with your manager about different hours for the days you come in to avoid traffic going to and from the office. Many employers have an open mind for commutes, especially for hybrid employees.
Setting Boundaries and Expectations
In the hybrid model, it is crucial to set clear boundaries. This helps stop work from interfering with your personal time. Make sure you have set work hour expectations with your supervisor and colleagues. If needed, set specific times on your Outlook or company calendars for your particular schedule. This shows both you and others when you are "on" and "off" work, helping you keep your downtime.
Let 1-800-PACK-RAT Help Make Your Return to Work Moving Needs Simple
Returning to the office after working remotely can be challenging, but with proper planning and support from your employer, you will be able to manage the adjustment. If you have to move to comply with a return to work mandate, check out 1-800-PACK-RAT for your moving and storage needs!
1-800-PACK-RAT's portable moving and storage containers take the stress of driving and packing all in one day and the logistics of managing a complex move entirely out of the equation. We drop off the container, you pack it at your pace, and then we pick it up and deliver or store it. It really is that simple. Whether you need to move across town or cross-country to be closer to your job, 1-800-PACK-RAT can make it happen.
Give us a call or go online for a free quote, and let us make moving and storage simple for you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Returning to In-Person Work
How can employees stay productive during the transition?
To stay productive during a massive change, such as a return to work order, you will need a bit of time to adjust to your new workspace routine. When driving to work, try mapping your route and alternatives in case of traffic backups to avoid surprises and stress during your commute. If you have issues with new tasks during the return to work process, consider using a time management system or app to track essential to-dos and time spent on them. Talk with your manager or supervisor to work out expectations and ask for help if you need it during the transition - their role is to help you get acclimated as efficiently as possible to help you remain productive!
What are the best practices for moving personal office equipment?
If you need to move office equipment to your new workstation in your office, be sure to find out what your employer will be providing for you first - they might be furnishing equipment and furniture for you already that you won't need to bring in. If you want to bring in items such as a personal chair, decorations, humidifiers, etc., ask your manager or human resources team first to ensure you can. Companies have differing policies on what is and isn't allowed, so consult with them first before planning on moving anything substantial into the office.
What should I do if I'm not ready to return to the office?
Talk to your employer about any worries you have and use any employee support resources available to you to help deal with your stress and adjustment to the new way of working. Your employer should be prepared to assist employees with this change by being as flexible as possible to allow for an adjustment period.
How can remote work experience be integrated into the return-to-work strategy?
Remote work experience can be integrated by leveraging the skills gained during that period, such as time management, self-discipline, and proficiency with digital tools. Encouraging a flexible work environment that values autonomy and results can help bridge the transition back to the office successfully.