After months of working from home or experiencing a layoff due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, some professionals are itching to get back to their offices and public workspaces. However, others might feel some anxiety about going back out because they still have many concerns about the virus. As evidenced by current search trends on Google, people have unanswered questions and fears regarding newly identified variants of COVID-19, how and when to get vaccinated, and the safety and effectiveness of the current vaccine options. People may be nervous about encountering exposure to the virus and getting sick, using public transportation, and lacking reliable childcare solutions, among other concerns.
Furthermore, it can be challenging for some workers to get back into the business habits they practiced before the pandemic now that they’ve spent months in a more comfortable, less professional environment like home. Listed below are ways people can prepare themselves for a return to the office.
Get new clothes that match the office dress code.
Many remote workers found it convenient and comfortable to pair their business tops with gym shorts or pajama bottoms when attending virtual meetings through connectivity tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, taking the phrase ‘business casual’ to a new level. Now it’s time to dust off khakis and match them with those blazers and blouses you sported on the office Zoom call.
Workers wondering how to dress for a business meeting without looking stuffy should consider wearing colorful blazers, jackets, blouses, cardigans, sweaters, and shirts during meetings to stand out and give a fresh, bright appearance while still adhering to the dress code. When choosing bright colors or neutral colors like a black or white shirt to wear, consider your environment and how your clothes will look against your background on the screen. Considering that masks are a requirement in most public places, you can even coordinate your facial coverings to your clothes. Business casual accessories like scarves and jewelry, including necklaces and earrings, can also boost your professional look, even if your organization follows a casual dress code.
The bottoms you wear will be more critical when returning to the office, so be sure to update your professional wardrobe with business attire basics like pencil skirts, slacks, and dress pants that suit your organization’s dress code. The right retailer provides women’s slimming pants made of various fabrics that enable women of all body types to look good and feel good when returning to their office environment.
2. Wash your hands frequently and do your best to keep them clean.
Personal hygiene and handwashing have always been essential, but it’s especially vital during the current pandemic. Washing your hands can reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other respiratory syndromes, influenza strains, and the common cold. Be sure you wash your hands before and after you eat, care for a wound or cut, use work computers or other public items, or use the restroom. If you can’t access water and soap, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean your hands.
3. Keep sufficient physical distance between you and your colleagues.
Do your best to keep your distance from your bosses, co-workers, and anyone else in the workplace. In addition to using face coverings and washing your hands, keeping at least six feet between you and another person can reduce your chances of getting COVID-19.
Returning to the office environment requires you to navigate the “new normal” of social distancing, wearing masks, and following strict guidelines. Be considerate of yourself and others by maintaining transparency about health in the work environment. If you fall ill at work or exhibit signs of COVID-19, be sure to isolate yourself until you’re able to go home and return to work only after you quarantine at home and ensure you are virus-free. Adjusting to strict protocols and trying to stay safe at work can be overwhelming for some people. To have a triumphant return to the workplace, take care of yourself, monitor any anxious feelings you have, and be patient and flexible with any changes.