Ways To Negotiate Your Office Return To Work Plans

There are several reasons you may have been away from work and are getting ready to return.

The most common reasons are long-term illness and maternity leave. But, you may also have been granted a sabbatical. Equally, with all the covid-19 issues, you may simply have been working at home for the last couple of years and now need to head back to the office.

In effect, you are returning to the job you previously did or are still doing from home. The main difference is location. You may think that this means you simply turn up and carry on as you used to. But, it’s important to negotiate your office return-to-work plans.

Don’t Assume

It’s easy to assume that if you’re ready to return then so is everyone else. But, the truth is every worker is different and you shouldn’t generalize or assume. Instead, spend time thinking about what it is that you want from your office and what type of return ensures you’ll give them the best possible performance. In many cases, this can be a staggering return to work or even a partial return to the office.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way, you simply need to agree on what works for you and your employer. If in doubt, talk to the specialist employment lawyers about your options and the best way of getting what you want while keeping your job.

Work Out What You Want

This may sound obvious but it’s a negotiation. Even if your company has decided it’s time for everyone to return to the office, that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate the terms. Before you negotiate it’s essential to consider what you want from the meetings and how you would like to come back to work.

Don’t simply think about the way things were, this is a great opportunity to improve your working conditions.

Check Hygiene Practices

Returning to the office means being more aware of hygiene and how poor hygiene can affect the health of those around you. It’s important to verify that the office has a hygiene protocol with defined actions for anyone who doesn’t comply.

Although life appears to be returning to normal, covid is still present and there are always risks of other pandemics. Ensuring your office has a good approach to hygiene simply makes sense.

Be Firm

It’s easy to get swept up at the moment and agree to what your employer demands. But, this approach means you’ve missed a golden opportunity to improve the workplace for everyone. You need to stay firm and that’s why it’s so important to have thought about what you want before you meet with your employer. By thinking and then writing down your objectives you’ll find it easier to stay focused on what’s important and make the negotiation count.

It should be noted some businesses don’t need to negotiate with you legally, it will depend on how your employment contract is worded. But, even if they don’t need to legally, they should be morally compelled to negotiate and ensure all staff is as happy as possible.