How can I cope with returning to work?
Dear Kristea,
How do I handle going back to work full-time when I’ve been remote for two years? I have a lot of fear about the COVID-19 virus and I’m stressed about our working conditions and safety. How can I cope?
- Stressed Out
Dear Stressed Out,
In such a short message, I can feel the edge-of-panic worry weighing you down. It’s been a long two years, globally, due to COVID-19 and the significant effects it’s had on societal structures like health care systems and the workplace. I’m not surprised your feelings some fear around managing a new change in how the pandemic is progressing. Stress has become a more serious issue over the last two years. Before I get into your question, I want to encourage you to ensure you’re giving yourself time to recharge – stop looking at the news for a spell, to give your brain a break from taking in new and stressful information all day every day. Be gentle with yourself. Sometimes it helps to “narrow” our focus down to our bubble – how that’s going, how we and our circles feel, and what we can do from where we are.
Watching the world attempt to manage a global pandemic without healthy infrastructures has been an incredibly divisive and stressful time for much of the world. You’re not alone in feeling like you need to question your safety or the working conditions jumping back to the office, because so many of us have very different opinions on what makes them feel safe at work in regards to COVID-19 – so how can a workplace please everyone?
Working from home went from a temporary measure to an extended new normal. While some of us miss the offices and can’t wait to “get back to normal”, a lot of us found surprising solace and support in a new remote working environment – not only were we able to quarantine to slow the spread of the virus, we experienced newfound flexibility in our days, more comfort, and a bit more ease (not that that’s been the case for everyone!). Are you one of the many who feels more comfortable working from home? I ask, because sometimes what we’re afraid of… isn’t really all we’re afraid of. If you examine your feelings honestly, is there a measure of your discomfort and fear coming from losing privileges or new routines working from home that have benefitted you? That can help sort out what exactly is feeling overwhelming. Maybe certain amenities or aspects of working from home can be maintained, either outside working hours, or by negotiating with your workplace – with that piece managed, assessing how safe work does or doesn’t feel might be easier.
When it comes to navigating new guidelines and returning to the office, uncertainty can be our biggest fear-mongering obstacle. And so, one of the most straightforward alleviators of that fear to manage the change is to make a plan. Knowing your options and what to expect can go far towards alleviating discomfort. Get clear expectations, guidelines, and processes from your workplace. Ask questions. Share your concerns and ask for a response. Take everything you learn, and decide: is this something I can do? Can I do it comfortably if I make some personal adjustments? Can my workplace accommodate something I need? What can I do if I am still uncomfortable?
You may have heard of a pandemic pattern being called the “Great Resignation”, as it was originally coined, or the “Great Reshuffling” as I’ve also seen it labelled. This is largely being driven by the tech industry, but no industry has been immune. There are many of us who are much happier working remotely, or with a hybrid remote-office work schedule. If a workplace is refusing to provide it, employees are leaving and finding somewhere else that can meet their needs. If you feel your office is not going to be able to meet your safety needs, brush up that resume and start looking for someone who can! And in the meantime, do what you need to do to keep yourself safe – get vaccinated, stay up to date on your boosters, continue wearing a mask regardless of government mandate, and/or socially distance. What of these measures you take on is a personal choice – so I don’t have one straightforward recommendation that wouldn’t be attempting to force my opinion on to you. What I can recommend is that you do what makes you feel safe, and what makes you feel like the people you love are safe. I know that can be difficult because everyone draws their lines differently, but all we can do is our best.
You are not alone, Stressed Out, and your fear is understandable. I hope this gives you your first action steps to examine that fear more closely so you can advocate for your needs and comfort. How you feel matters.
