{"id":963,"date":"2025-08-28T01:28:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:28:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/?p=963"},"modified":"2025-08-28T01:29:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T05:29:23","slug":"is-it-too-soon-to-go-back-to-the-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/blog\/is-it-too-soon-to-go-back-to-the-office\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it too soon to go back to the office?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-template-header has-neutral-100-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--16)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div style=\"--bb--crumb-gap:.4em;\" class=\"blog-template-breadcrumb wp-block-employmentherocom2025-breadcrumb-block\"><nav role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" 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office?<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-query wp-block-hosts-query has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-query-is-layout-1 wp-block-query-is-layout-constrained\"><ul data-wp-interactive=\"eh-hosts\" class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-1 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li data-host-index=\"0\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.openDetail\" class=\"wp-block-post post-152 hosts type-hosts status-publish hentry\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-sm-font-size is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><h6 class=\"has-text-align-center has-link-color wp-elements-c7558c1c9e2b60b85b89e09ed14c4c61 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-violet-500-color has-sm-font-size\">Jessica Johnson<\/h6><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group blog-template-meta-row is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\">Published<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-08-28T01:28:33-04:00\">Aug 28, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\">Updated<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date__modified-date wp-block-post-date has-sm-font-size\"><time datetime=\"2025-08-28T01:29:23-04:00\">Aug 28, 2025<\/time><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-sm-font-size\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-700);border-left-width:1px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--2)\"><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull blog-image-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized blog-template-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2021\/07\/Is-it-too-soon-to-go-back-to-the-office-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"Is it too soon to go back to the office\" class=\"wp-image-3935\" style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;width:864px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:66px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group sticky-side-panel is-vertical is-content-justification-stretch is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-13 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<p class=\"has-lg-font-size\" style=\"border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--neutral-200);border-bottom-width:0.1rem;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\"><strong>Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-single-table-content\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div id=\"content-wrapper\" class=\"wp-block-group content-wrapper has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--4)\">\n<p>Things are finally looking up for Ontario and the rest of Canada, and HR leaders are eager to get employees back together in person. But just because some businesses are pushing to return to the office faster than others, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they have a good plan in place. Whatever things look like for you and your team, here is a checklist of what you\u2019ll need to consider to make that potential transition as seamless as possible:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Innovative strategies will be pivotal in flattening the curve as we return to some sense of normalcy. This means working closely with your senior leaders and management to ensure there aren\u2019t any holes in your back to office plan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Offer a flexible timeline&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as there was a transition period when getting everyone set up virtually, it\u2019ll take some time before we\u2019re back to huddles and in-person coffee chats. While you should consider headcount to abide by safety protocols, it\u2019s important to recognize and acknowledge the personal and mental challenges your team might face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Try doing a test run, where the office is open sooner for consenting employees. We\u2019ll be trying this out ourselves at 91±¬ΑΟ as we work towards getting everyone together in person again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Consider the hybrid model<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent survey conducted by the flexible workspace provider&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iwgplc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">International Workplace Group<\/a>&nbsp;found that two-thirds (66%) of Canadian workers would want to split their time working remotely and in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve discovered new ways of working and connecting over the last year, and if your employees are able to be productive remotely for the majority of the work week, it\u2019s worth exploring the hybrid option. However, in solidifying your plan, it\u2019s just as essential to evaluate and determine the&nbsp;<em>way<\/em>&nbsp;you and your team work. Will everyone need to be in the office 50% of the time? Are there exceptions? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Communicate your expectations on vaccines&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Will you mandate a policy requiring your team to be vaccinated to enter the office? The COVID-19 vaccine is currently not mandatory for employees in Ontario. It\u2019s also important to consider<em>&nbsp;why<\/em>&nbsp;some of your team members may not be vaccinated, like having a disability or holding certain religious beliefs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make leave policies known&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of how well you enforce and follow safety measures, the fear of testing positive for COVID-19 is a valid concern among employees. It can also cause stress if they don\u2019t feel they have the support to recover, if they do test positive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ESA currently provides for two&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/document\/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0\/infectious-disease-emergency-leave\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">infectious disease emergency leaves<\/a>&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create and communicate a crisis mitigation plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While returning to the workplace is something to celebrate, employers must prepare for the worst. HR and senior leadership should work together to determine what happens if an outbreak occurs, especially if you work in a public office where there are an abundance of shared spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>How will you handle a situation where a hostile employee or civilian enters your workplace and refuses to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)? Will rapid testing be required? What happens if your office or building has an outbreak? Who will be responsible for communicating with employees and what will be your messaging?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Employees look to senior leadership during a crisis, and poor communication can only worsen an already dire situation. So, ensure you\u2019re putting just as much thought into dealing with a crisis as you are preventing one.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make sure employees feel heard&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>HR leaders emerged as mental health advocates during the pandemic, and it&#8217;s important to maintain that same energy, especially throughout this transition and beyond.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Address anxieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Evoy\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/envoy.com\/blog\/envoy-survey-finds-employees-want-companies-to-embrace-hybrid-work-and-mandate-covid-vaccines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Return to the Workplace Report<\/a>, a majority (66%) of employees say they are worried about their health and safety in returning to the workplace and concerns are heightened for racialized workers (78%).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HR leaders should not only be aware of these patterns \u2013 they should also do their own research within their team. Your employees have gone through a lot this year, and feelings of isolation and burnout may very well still be present.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to prepare resources for your people leaders so they have the tools to provide support and navigate workplace discussions around these anxieties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facilitate honest feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Do your employees even want to go back to the office? While some employees are eager to return to the workplace, others are dreading it. It\u2019s important to facilitate open communication to find out how your people are feeling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Distribute surveys and encourage managers to facilitate one-on-ones with their team to gauge their feelings on returning right now, part-time, or not at all. By understanding their concerns, you\u2019ll be able to develop your strategy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a plan to support off-site workers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Virtual work meant we could hire anyone from just about anywhere, and while the majority of your team may be ready to return to the office, for some, it may not even be an option.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As in-person meetings and events kick off again, remote and even hybrid workers will likely feel left out. Whether you\u2019ll make sure every meeting room has a camera or alternate between&nbsp; in-person and virtual events, make sure you have a plan in place to tackle and communicate your expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prepare your physical space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although we\u2019re ready to get back to our desks, the COVID-19 crisis is far from over. Keep up to date on your local occupational health and safety guidelines to ensure your physical space is ready to go and safe for your people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get going with cleaning arrangements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s likely your office has been vacant for over a year, so odds are it needs some cleaning. Whether that involves outsourcing a cleaning team or giving your desks some elbow grease, have a plan for getting your space ready upon your team\u2019s return.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019re up and running, work with your building\u2019s property management to track and schedule cleaning in commonly used areas like bathrooms and elevators. It also could be worth exploring an extra set of eyes to oversee these logistics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Set up sanitation stations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your employees may carry their own hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes; providing sanitation stations in common areas is an extra step to make everyone feel safe.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay organized&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although social distancing guidelines could ease up in the coming months, safety measures are critical in ensuring comfortability and safety among team members. Will PPE be required? Will desks be six feet apart? Signs like \u201cmasks required\u201d and \u201csanitize hands upon entry,\u201d are key to keeping everyone who steps through your doors in check.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also a chance that one-way office \u2018traffic\u2019 will be the mandatory health and safety standard. This means organizing the flow of movement in the office with arrows on the floor. Again, be sure to actively check in with your local occupational health and safety guidelines in your implementation process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It isn\u2019t as much of a question of&nbsp;<em>is it too soon to go back&nbsp;<\/em>as it is creating the right plan for your people. So, get strategizing, check in with your team and be as transparent as possible to ensure everyone\u2019s safety and wellbeing.&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\" data-trigger-modal=\"request-a-demo-modal\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-15 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--10)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-link-arrow is-style-link-arrow--3\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-btn-brand-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/resources\/?topic%5B0%5D%5B0%5D=Product\">View all<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query blog-3-col-query-loop is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whatever your back to office plan looks like, here is a checklist of what you\u2019ll need to consider to make that potential transition as seamless as possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":3935,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_visual_mode":"business","_lite_auth_enabled":false,"_lite_auth_trigger_method":"scroll","_lite_auth_scroll_percent":25,"_lite_auth_click_element_query":"","exclude_from_algolia":false,"reading_time":"5 min read","display_reading_time":false,"download_content_type":"","download_file":"","download_url":"","download_cta_label":"","homepage_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[42,35,106,37],"resource-type":[30],"topic":[97],"learn_topic":[],"industry":[],"audience":[],"business-size":[],"product-tag":[],"funnel-stage":[],"region":[],"pain-point":[],"persona":[],"content_type":[],"post_features":[],"class_list":["post-963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised","tag-covid-19","tag-hr","tag-regulation","tag-workplace","resource-type-blog","topic-covid"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=963"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3937,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions\/3937"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"learn_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learn_topic?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"industry","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/industry?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"business-size","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/business-size?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"product-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product-tag?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"funnel-stage","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/funnel-stage?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/region?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"pain-point","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pain-point?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"persona","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/persona?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"post_features","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/employmenthero.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_features?post=963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}