Many Raleigh businesses are looking forward to (hopefully) re-opening at some point this year.
That means employees will forgo the comfort of working remotely from their living room in exchange for the familiar professional office environment. It stands to reason that after a year of working from home, many workers will need to make a few adjustments as things slowly start to go back to normal. Business owners will also need to take a few things into consideration that will allow the smooth transition from living room couch to office cubicle. We want to share with you a few tips on what you as a Raleigh business owner or manager can do to encourage your employees to come back into the office while providing them with peace of mind knowing that they’re just as safe as they were when working from home.
Change Your Office Interior
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Many Raleigh offices look like a snapshot of March 2020—frozen in time like some sort of museum display. Dust off the cobwebs and try to remove any reminders of the year 2020. You can begin by having some 2021 custom calendars and business cards printed up and placed on everyone’s desk. This will psychologically allow them to move forward and more quickly return to the way things were pre-pandemic. Adding a few window and wall graphics coupled with a couple of strategically placed floor graphics will also provide for a fresh start in the minds of everyone who returns to their office chair after their 1-year hiatus.
Focus on Your Visitor Areas
Employees won’t be the only people returning to your office—your customers and clients will also start coming back. Consider revamping your visitor areas with framed art, interior dimensional graphics, or frosted glass to make them feel welcome. Redecorating your visitor areas will also help to re-strengthen the bond between your clients and your brand. Considering how it’s been over a year since they have set foot inside your office, this is the perfect opportunity to remind them why they choose to do business with you.
Consider Employee Comfort Levels
There’s an excellent chance that many of your returning workers will have varying comfort levels regarding stepping foot back inside a closed building with other human beings. It’s entirely possible that some employees will only feel safe if there’s a diligently enforced mask mandate in the office. They also might be wary of in-person meetings with outside vendors/clients. Try to incorporate intelligent social distancing policies to ensure the comfort of all your workers. Social distancing signage will not only remind people to practice good hygiene, but it will provide peace of mind to wary workers that you’re doing everything possible to help ensure as safe of a work environment as possible.
Build the Buzz!
Returning to work should be a joyous occasion for your employees—many of them will take it as a sign that things are headed in the right direction, and eventually, they’ll be able to put this pandemic behind them. You can help with their transition from home back to the office with a welcome back box that’s filled with such things as:
- Company-branded t-shirts
- Office supplies
- Hand sanitizer & masks
- Mini-Bluetooth speakers
There’s something special about returning to your office desk and seeing a huge box with a “Welcome Back!” card from the company.
Keep a Positive Attitude!
There are no set rules for returning to an office chair after spending the past year sheltering at home from a pandemic. It will most likely take some employees longer than others to regain the comfort level that they once had. Keep a good attitude and remind your managers to consider the needs, wants, and desires of their workers. Remind your employees of the benefits of returning to work, such as:
- Improved collaboration
- Fewer tech gremlins than they experienced at home
- Office camaraderie
- Improved convenience
Leading by example is a great way to help your employees quickly get back up to speed and remove any lingering doubts about returning to the office. After all, regardless of how comfortable it is working from your living room couch—people still miss interacting with other human beings in real life. Focus on the benefits and watch how quickly things go back to normal.
Signage and Marketing Help in Raleigh
Returning to the office will be a big transition for everyone involved. By taking the time to intelligently plan for your big office re-opening, you’ll help ensure a smooth transition while making your employees feel safe, knowing that you’re doing everything possible to keep them happy. At AlphaGraphics of Raleigh, we can provide you with ideas and services to assist with your office re-opening. To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of Downtown Raleigh can help with your sign and marketing needs, you may
email us,
request a quote, or call us at
(919) 832-2828.