Hi ho! Hi ho! Its’ back to work we go…
- July 14, 2020
How to ensure you’re Happy, rather than Sleepy or Grumpy
If you’ve been furloughed and you’re fortunate enough to be returning to your old role, or a new role for that matter, there are a few things you can do to ease you back into the working routine.
Get back into a routine
Whether you’ve been working from home or on furlough, it will have affected your body clock. We recommend starting to get up a bit earlier, having breakfast and slowly building up to your old routine. Exercise is very important too. If you haven’t been as active as usual during lockdown and Joe Wicks isn’t for you, it’s still worth getting out of the house for a walk. There’s so much evidence showing the connection between physical and mental health so anything you can do is positive. Check in with your colleagues, ask what they’ve been doing and also speak to your employer about their expectations for when your back, a lot will probably have changed and it will be important to get into the right mindset.
Managing your commute
First of all, check do you have to commute? How often is it really necessary for you to be in the office. Many of our clients are telling us that that they have completely changed their attitude to working from home. If it’s necessary in your role, there are some things to bear in mind. If you’re travelling by public transport, you will be required to wear a facemask and possibly carry hand sanitizer, you’ll also need to follow social distancing rules and be aware of other people who may be very sensitive to you getting close to them. If you haven’t before, try listening to a podcast or relaxing music that helps de-stress you and prepare you better for the day.
Getting used to a new way of working
Even when you get to the office, it’s unlikely to be business as usual. Your employer should have conducted a risk assessment and ensured the office is safe for you. If you’re not comfortable, raise your concerns. Some colleagues may be more wary than others and everyone will have a different attitude, be sensitive and try to establish a common ground.
Coping with Stress
For many people it will feel like they have been in a bubble for the last 3 months. Returning to normality may be a little stressful, and likely tiring. Check in on your friends and colleagues and ensure you take regular breaks throughout the day. Ease yourself back in and set expectations with your employer at the earliest opportunity, often people worry about their performance unnecessarily. Understandably people are concerned that they will return to a mountain of work, but provided a plan is agreed on how you deal with it and what the time frames are, it need not be so daunting.
Consider a move
Covid-19 has resulted in a huge number of redundancies and it’s a hard time for a lot of people. If your role has been made redundant, or you are considering your options, we recommend taking a look at our jobseeker checklist here. If you would like further advice contact a recruiter you trust to give you an honest appraisal of the market you work in, they should be able to help you make what could be a very difficult decision.
If you would like to find out more about Stonor Recruitment, contact Charlie Griffiths on charlie@stonorsearch.com or call 01844 350131.