If there is one thing we can say for sure about the COVID pandemic, it is that nothing’s for sure. Among other implications for business owners and HR professionals, that lack of certainty has meant setting and putting off several target dates for when your workforce can return to the workplace.

The silver lining of that uncertainty is that you have more time to research, create and implement a Return-to-Work Plan.

A good return-to-work (RTW) plan will help your business safely transition to having employees on-site. It will also help you be prepared to manage issues as they arise, and help your business maintain health, legal and ethical standards and requirements.

4 Tips for Creating a Successful Return-to-Work Plan

Every business is different and your RTW plan must be tailored to your company. But the following tips will give your plan a solid basis for success.

1. Don’t Delay

   Timeliness is key to properly addressing the issues around returning to work. Your company’s plans for returning staff to the workplace is a popular topic of conversation among your employees. And between them and their family and friends. All the talk, in the absence of solid facts, can be a source of misinformation, questions and even more uncertainty. The sooner you inform them of the company’s position, the less stress, uncertainty and fear they will feel.

2. Assign Responsibility

   The importance of having an RTW plan in place means it should be the main priority for one or more people on your team. If you don’t have the human resources in place to manage the creation and implementation of your plan, consider hiring an HR professional to help you.

3. Get Input from Employees

   We’re all dealing with our own realities relating to pandemic life. Some people are eager to get back to the workplace. Others have concerns for their health and safety. And still, others may be caring for vulnerable or unvaccinated individuals, including children. The more you communicate with and engage your employees, the more likely they are to take part in the RTW plan.

4. Educate Yourself

   From vaccination requirements to dealing with workplace outbreaks, there are resources available that can help you formulate your plan, stay within compliances and requirements, and generally make sure you cover all the bases. Here are two places your can start:

   “Return to In-Person Work During COVID-19 Pandemic” - HRPA

   “COVID-19 and workplace health and safety” - Province of Ontario

5. Be Flexible

   Remember that uncertainty is a constant during the pandemic. You may plan to start returning employees to the workplace on a certain date and be in lockdown by the time that date arrives. Make sure your RTW plan is adaptable.

Want to find out how to build an energizing and supportive workplace environment when your employees finally return? Check out our recent blog post and video “How to Build a Thriving Workplace Culture”.