Do You Have to Go Back to the Office-But Don’t Want To?

Oct 4

At this stage, depending on where you are in the world, your employer has likely (hopefully) started the dialogue around what will be happening for you regarding working from home and returning to the office as things gradually return to regular business.

In many cases, businesses are choosing to be cautious as they approach returning to the office (understandably). With so much of the world's population yet to be vaccinated globally, it's hard to predict long term stability.

At the same time, we face change saturation across businesses, and in our communities - healthcare, government, emergency services, to name a few.

Change saturation occurs when the number of changes you're implementing exceeds the capacity of individuals in your organization to adopt and use those changes effectively.

As change expert Tim Creasy reports in his recent article on the topic, the most recent Prosci Best Practices for Change Management study showed 73% of respondents (organizations) reported being near or past the saturation point. Combine that with Covid and you add plenty of fuel to the fire.

He describes the symptoms of saturation as follows:

Individual Symptoms

These are the manifestation of particular behaviors and traits in an organization's employees when faced with too much change. These include disengagement, apathy, indifference; burnout and fatigue; anxiety and stress; confusion; and cynicism and skepticism.

Project Symptoms

In times of change saturation, projects performance can suffer the following symptoms: lack of resources, inadequate or failed delivery of results, delays and schedule implications, missed deadlines, or insufficient buy-in and support from senior leaders.

Organizational Symptoms

These symptoms are costly and long-lasting, directly affecting operational quality and creating a poor working environment. They often display as automatic resistance, lack of focus on operations; attrition and turnover; low morale; and changes are often seen as insignificant and worthwhile.

Recognize yourself or your organization in the above? If so, you are likely experiencing change saturation.

Add returning to the office and you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point.

Or you may be one of the many who want to quit their jobs all together but can’t due to your responsibilities with family or other reasons. Before doing something that big, explore the full impact of that big of a decision. There are ways to approach it without throwing your life into chaos.

Change, change, change…

Even with the above factors at play, returning to the office is in motion for many, and some are already back. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help yourself prepare for it which is the best thing to combat change saturation.

The first and most important thing is to recognize that returning to the office is another change. Click to Tweet

And while going “back to normal” is generally being viewed as a positive change, it will provoke reactions and resistance much like any other change.

Here are some things you can to to prepare for your transition.

Resistance

If you resonated with the title, your feeling it already. It's also possible you will feel it from your loved ones – children, spouse – who have enjoyed having you at home. You may have a pet who will feel the impact of you being away all day again as well.

You might enjoy working from home for many reasons. Maybe you are in the percentile that found they were more productive, and you'd like to stay this way.

Or you may not be feeling comfortable with Covid restrictions being let off. It could feel faster than your comfort level allows. At the same time, you don't want to be seen as struggling with it, but you can't seem to get happy about it.

It's important to know that resistance to change is normal and instinctual. We work through it all time – in some changes, we barely feel it, others we must work hard to move through it.

The first step is recognizing when you are resisting and acknowledge it. From here, you can identify the reasons behind it and then work to overcome each of them by gathering the information you need to address the concerns behind them.

We can cycle back and forth between resisting and accepting, so it's essential to keep this an active process. It's also normal. Being conscious of this process helps you maintain momentum.

Get clear on what the expectations are – yours and your employer's.

Sit down and make a list of your concerns around the transition. Build a list of questions so you can gather information to help you understand the transition detail. Examples might be: What is the timeline? How are the boundaries being set up in the work environment, if at all? Is there an adaptation process, or is everyone expected to return to old office norms?

What’s essential here is identifying where you are resisting and clarify the sentiment behind it. It might be fear, anxiety, frustration, or all of these! Do the work to get clear and write it down so you can fact-find.

Once you've identified the barriers, take your questions to the people that can answer them. Get the facts from the source rather than rely on word of mouth.

This process might not relieve all your concerns, but it improves your awareness of the transition pieces and what the expectations are as it rolls out.

It's also a good idea to find out who's officially tasked with supporting the process so you can reach out to them if needed.

Resources

Knowing the timeline is vital to address things like daycare, car sharing, commuting expenses, etc.

If your employer can't give you a defined timeline, ask them to provide as close an estimate as possible. Use that to create one for yourself, so you plan for these needs.

If you and your spouse are going back, creating your timeline allows you to regain control over planning your primary needs like childcare and pet care.

Anxiety

Many of us are experiencing anxiety with the reduction and elimination of restrictions in our communities. Lowering the defenses in place for the past two years feels uncomfortable. We're navigating how to adjust our comfort levels around personal space in public settings.

On top of this, we have questions around new working expectations and protocols post-pandemic and how to address potential disparities as a result.

If the idea of re-engaging with coworkers in person is creating anxiety for you, ask for clarity around the protocols and return to work policies. Again, make sure to get facts versus relying on word of mouth.

When a policy or process doesn't seem fair or equitable, raise the concern with someone who can potentially change it.

If you do all these things and still have high anxiety, it might be a good idea to get professional help to help you for the transition.

Energy Drain

You may have noticed by now the amount of energy you expel talking and interacting with others. It's incredible to see just how much energy it takes for us to speak and listen. If you’re finding it overwhelming, reintroducing it in smaller doses can help you replenish as you go.

If it’s an option, graduate your return to the office. Start slowly – half days to start, then occasional full days, eventually working full time in the office (if you're facing 100% return).

Monitor yourself in this process to understand the impact on your energy levels - this includes mental, emotional, and physical.

Take micro-breaks throughout the day to allow yourself a mini recharge. It's been two years, so it will take a minute to adjust to engaging face to face all day again.

Recognize that your workmates are in the same boat with their energy management. Be compassionate and when you see someone running low or getting irritable. Offer to end the meeting and come back to it another time.

Change is not only happening in the office, but it also covers all the areas above. Our families and spouses will be adjusting their daily routines again while balancing the current global uncertainty of the pandemic.

The awareness that things could change again is ever-present, and this alone creates an energy drain. We need to remember this and have patience and compassion for those around us.

Control the controllable

Free up your energy by staying in control of the things you can control. You can remain engaged and active in the transition by doing the following:

Recognize your areas of resistance as outlined above. Identify your areas of concern and work towards clarifying as much as you can. Continue this cycle throughout the transition.
If there is no schedule, create your own. Emphasize your need for timing clarity to your employer if you have childcare needs. Taking control of the timing will help free up your energy to plan and take positive steps to adapt to the transition.
Go at a pace that is comfortable for you. If it feels safer to wear your mask a bit longer, do so. If you want to limit your group interactions or spend smaller amounts of time socializing, let that be okay. Small steps will help to minimize anxiety and allow you to adjust as you go along.
Learn what the protocols and expectations will as you return to work and set your expectations accordingly. Again, give yourself space to do things in small increments if that's what makes you comfortable. Recognize when you feel emotional or anxious and take a break from the environment by going for a walk or finding a quiet space. Ask for support if you need it. You are not alone in navigating the change.
Stay engaged with your team and opt-in to surveys and focus groups when asked. Voicing your experience and concerns will help you feel more empowered in the transition.
Notice when others are struggling and have compassion. If you can point another to resources or help, do so. We are all in this together.
Take care of your physical needs to help alleviate stress – prioritize sleep, get regular exercise, and eat well.

Remember, returning to work after two years working from home is new for everyone, including our employers - it’s a difficult transition for businesses. The decisions and planning are difficult with so many factors still unknown. By communicating during the process, you help them make more informed decisions as they navigate the transition as well.

If you feel overwhelmed or feel like it's impossible to navigate another change, find support to help you identify possible solutions or process your feelings. If you are feeling burnt out, see a medical professional who can help you find the solutions you might need to return to a state of wellness.

For many of us Covid was the tipping point into a state of change saturation. As we weave our way through the next stages, now is the time to have compassion for each other and be sure to extend it to yourself as well.

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