Questions you’re afraid to ask about returning to the office
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Jessica Johnson
Contents
It鈥檚 time for another round of questions. This month, we鈥檙e honing in on the buzz. While this glimpse of normalcy can be exciting, we understand your concerns and anxieties surrounding the topic, and we鈥檙e here to help make that transition (or non-transition) as smooth as possible. Here are our answers to your HR questions:
I鈥檓 nervous about catching COVID-19 upon returning to my workplace. How do I know my employer will keep me safe?
It鈥檚 important to remember that returning to the office . Your employer will be required to abide by regional occupational health and safety guidelines, which could include physical distancing and one-way office 鈥榯raffic鈥 controlled by arrows on the floor.
Your employer should keep an open line of communication in implementing their back to office plan, making clear whether personal protective equipment (PPE) will be required, if desks will be six feet apart, and if employees have the option to stay home.
It鈥檚 also perfectly okay if you feel more comfortable working remotely right now, or permanently. Speak to Human Resources about what works best for you. in this process, and if you鈥檙e unsure or hesitant about your employer鈥檚 back to office plan, reach out.
I鈥檓 hesitant about the vaccine. Can my employer refuse me access to the office if I don鈥檛 get it?
While we encourage those who are able to get vaccinated to do their part, employers and health professionals recognize the reasons why some may not be vaccinated, like having a disability, health issues, or holding certain religious beliefs.
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently not mandatory for employees in Ontario, and employees don鈥檛 have to disclose their vaccination status. While some employers may choose to mandate a policy requiring your team to be vaccinated to enter the office, it is likely that most will instead require employees to practice physical distancing, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and perhaps participate in rapid onsite testing.
I feel more comfortable working remotely and am not interested in going back to the office. How do I navigate this conversation with my employer?
While the last 18 months have been difficult, it has shown us that we can accomplish great work from just about anywhere. For those of us at Humi, we believe it’s important to feel supported regardless of where and when we are working, which is why we鈥檙e giving our team the option to come back into the office or work fully remote.
The world of work is changing and many employers recognize this. Meet with HR and discuss your options in the realm of employer expectations. If you鈥檝e proven to be over the last while, there shouldn鈥檛 be a reason for them to decline 鈥 especially as remote work allows employers and employees to .
What happens if I get sick? What if someone close to me gets sick and I have to care for them? Will I have paid time off?
The ESA currently provides for relating to COVID-19 in Ontario. However, all employers should update their sick leave policy and clearly identify what their employees qualify for to put these worries at ease. If this isn鈥檛 clearly communicated, check in with HR.
What if there is a COVID-19 outbreak in my office? How will I know?
Employers shouldn鈥檛 just work to prevent a crisis 鈥 they should be just as, if not more, prepared to deal with one if it happens. A crisis mitigation plan is in the very real circumstance that an outbreak occurs.
Especially if you work in a shared office space, Ontario employers should abide by which outlines the 鈥渞esponsibilities employees and managers have to create a safe work environment.鈥
My company hired several workers remotely during the pandemic. How can we ensure they feel comfortable, safe, and included in our physical workspace when we go back to the office?
makes all the difference in their journey at your company 鈥 it’s not only a first impression of company culture, but it鈥檚 also a great way for them to get to know their team. While many employers have implemented smooth virtual onboarding, those same employees who joined months ago may feel out of place stepping into the office for the first time.
It would be beneficial to do some extra onboarding, or re-onboarding: The process of onboarding employees who were hired remotely into the physical workplace. This may include an office tour, special social events, and extra training for in-office tech.
As some of us may not return to the office full-time or at all, employers must be diligent to ensure everyone feels comfortable, safe, and included. Make sure you have a plan in place to communicate your expectations, including whether meeting rooms will have cameras for remote workers and if you will alternate between in-person and virtual events.
