How do you plan to work post lockdown?

Thankfully, it looks like things are looking up as lockdowns ease in the UK and we start to think about what our new normality might be. For many, going back to the office will be a welcome relief, providing separation between home and work. The ability to have a meeting without one of the children popping up unexpectedly, or the cat toddling over the keyboard! Of course, another real plus of back to the office is the benefits of socialising and interacting with colleagues, and you cannot beat a spontaneous conversation over the water cooler!

However, for many looking forward to these aspects of back to the office, there will also be a sense of sadness about losing the benefits of working from home. For starters there was no travel time to the office adding to your working day. You could pop a wash on between meetings. Take the dog for a lunchtime walk and pick the kids up from school. The company of the cat may have helped to relieve some of the work stresses – or created new ones! You undoubtedly saved money without the commuting and work lunches. The environment also benefitted from the reduction in emissions.

Perhaps there is a happy medium going forward, with some time in the office and some time working from home. In the past there has been mixed reactions to a work from home approach. Earlier in my career it was never heard of, but in recent years with massive improvements in technology, working from home has become more available. However, unless the company you work for has a clear policy regards what is/isn’t possible, there tends to be mixed approaches, often based on the leader and their ability to ‘trust’ their teams. I never understood the concept that if people are in the office they are working, but the same is not true if they work from home. In my experience people often work harder when they are at home, they can concentrate without distractions and they are happy to have this trust and give more in return. We are fortunate to have the technology that now allows working from home, and leaders should be less concerned with where people work from.

With Covid restriction currently lifting, it is not unusual to start seeing the phase ‘working from the office preferred to enhance collaboration’. So, what can you do if your workplace is looking for you to return 100% to the office? You may be surprised to know that everyone in the UK is entitled to make a flexible working request to their workplace – not just parents. You do need to have worked for the employer for at least 26 weeks. You would need to prepare your request to include how you would like to work e.g. times/location/hours and will need to assess the benefits and challenges to the company and yourself of the arrangement you desire. Remember to include how you will ensure effective collaboration continues. Your employer will have an obligation to handle your request in a reasonable manner. If your employer cannot meet your initial request, you should also be prepared to negotiate and find a mutually agreeable solution.

If you need support with this or any other career related challenge, please get in touch sonya.power@coachingresults.co.uk

#flexibleworking #worklifebalance #workfromhome #trust