Preparing for Your Return to the Office or Hybrid Schedule

Aug 6, 2021 | COVID-19, GTM Blog

Here are some steps to help parents make the transition to a full-time office return or hybrid schedule as seamless as possible.

After a long time away from in-person work due to COVID-19, many organizations are slowly bringing employees back into the office either full-time or as part of a hybrid schedule (working some days in the office and others at home). If you are returning to the office, eliminating the stress of in-person work and social interactions may seem nearly impossible.

Still, there are some basic steps you can take to help make the transition as seamless as possible.

Returning to the office

Be prepared for any changes to your workplace’s health and safety procedures. As there will be changes made to workplace operations and, most likely, safety practices, make sure to be aware of what you should expect. In addition, here are some steps you can take to prepare:

Plan your commute
Arrange which items you’ll keep at your workstation
Expect new technology in the office
Keep an open line of communication
Know your “why” for returning
Focus on the positives
Anticipate distractions

Remember not to overwhelm yourself when returning to the office. Ease your way back into it, whether you are starting in a hybrid type of work schedule or coming back to the workplace full time. Also, focus on the exciting things you are going to do following the pandemic, both in the office and out of it.

Working a hybrid schedule

Hybrid work environments have become popular due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are new to a hybrid schedule, having a combination of in-office and out-of-office work can help you retain some flexibility, but it can also be difficult and stressful to navigate. It’s important to establish a routine that works best for you.

Here are some tips geared toward helping you get into an efficient routine when working a hybrid schedule:

Establish consistent working hours
Bring your favorite items from home into the office
Keep an open line of communication with your manager
Try to interact with your team as much as possible
Set daily priorities and goals that are achievable
Prepare to be adaptable

As you begin to see your peers and co-workers in person again, it’s important to let your manager know if your office’s implementation of hybrid work schedules is causing you to feel stressed or concerned. This process may be new for most people and could take some getting used to.

GTM can help

Many families are turning to in-home childcare as a safer alternative to daycare centers as they transition away from work-at-home and back to the office. Hiring a nanny has many advantages including flexible, personalized care in the comfort of your home. It also means you are now an employer and have tax, payroll, and compliance rules to follow. Working a hybrid schedule or returning to the office full-time is stressful enough with the additional hassles of nanny taxes and payroll. Let GTM Payroll Services manage that for you. We can take care of paying your nanny the right way, withholding and remitting the proper amount of taxes, and taking care of any insurance requirements like workers’ compensation. Call (800) 929-9213 for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation with a household employment expert. We will answer all of your questions and help you navigate being a household employer. Or schedule time with us at your convenience.