The office as we know it is no more. As workplaces are welcoming employees back, the conversation has shifted from when will we go back to work to how will we get back to work?

Things will definitely be different. It’s not like everyone will rush through the front door at the same time. One thing is for certain. Employees are ready for change, but they need to feel safe and supported in their workplace.

What are our concerns as worker bees? Better yet, what considerations are employers taking to qualm the nerves of those who have to (and frankly want to) go back to the office?

Attention of late has been on work-from-home protocol. Now that lockdown restrictions are dismantling, companies are focusing on the challenge of re-entry.

For facility managers and workplace consultants, these are exciting times.

“The global pandemic has certainly been a wake-up call for office design,” says Lisa Glaser, owner of St. Louis-based Workplace Dynamics Consulting.

Workspaces are very much representative of a company’s culture. That’s why we’ve seen a plethora of open-plan layouts due to transparency and collaboration – attributes of a modern company, notes Glaser. However, office design is largely based on how people work, what they do, and what inspires them. Thanks to the pandemic, the most recent office practices are changing. Open-office plans will have more distance between workspaces, and communal kitchens and large meeting spaces will have limited occupancy. Some remote work will continue.

Glaser cites a strategy by furniture manufacturer Steelcase for post-pandemic office makeovers that looks across three time horizons: now, near, and far.

“We can’t just go in and redesign. We have to look at the big picture. What can we do now in terms of retrofitting and reducing the density of employees with a minimal budget? What can we then do in the near term to reconfigure the physical space? And what can we do farther in the future to reinvent the work environment in regard to adaptability and contactless technology?”

Many of the rules revolve around maintaining social distancing norms. Furniture must be staggered at least six feet (two meters) and colleagues should remain physically separated in places like training rooms, conference rooms, and the cafeteria. In some cases, plexiglass or other barriers will be installed. Workday schedules will be flexible and work-from-home will continue in order to reduce the number of employees in the office at any one time.

Hygiene habits will also be at the heart of planning with masks, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant wipes provided as part of stringent housekeeping protocols.

It’s not as daunting as it seems, says Glaser. There is a silver lining. The pre-COVID office was very rigid. You sat at your desk at the office. “The change that happened basically overnight to compel employees to work from home would have taken years for some companies to adopt,” says Glaser.

“Everyone was forced into this next norm and no one had a choice but to adapt. This has changed people’s mindset about work - where it is, where it’s done, as well as the beefing up technology and tools required to accomplish things and allow flexibility for workers regardless of location.”

Hit the ground running

All these hygiene and social distancing rules are good and fine, but after months of working from home our work habits and routines have changed. So if you’re feeling like going back to work is a struggle here are five simple ways to get more out of your workday:

Build healthy boundaries. If there’s anything you learned from working from home is that it’s important to set boundaries. Take these new protocols back to the office with you. Remember to log on/off at realistic times to prevent overworking and guard your time so that colleagues don’t constantly interrupt.

Focus on small tasks. Does your to-do list seem overwhelming? Try breaking down tasks into single next steps – this way each task is specific and you have a plan of action to follow.

Do more in less time. Chances are you are more productive at certain times of the day. Consider setting aside one power hour each day where you time-block and put 100% effort into one dedicated task or project.

Cut out unnecessary meetings. This doesn’t mean you can’t honor connection. It means you should adopt a purposeful approach and decline meetings where you add no value.

Prioritize downtime. There’s no way you can focus for eight hours straight so factor in regular breaks during the workday to recharge, restore motivation, and free your mind.