Since the pandemic hit, we have all been forced to do things differently at work. For months, some of us had to work from home, some never stopped working in the office, and others were on furlough. Now that the government has ended lockdown, some of us may have had to return to work.
You may be experiencing new policies, social distancing rules, and a different way of interacting and communicating with your customers and colleagues. It can be difficult trying to get used to doing things differently. Here are some things you can do to help you cope with changes at work.
Understand why things have to change at work.
Since returning to work, your manager may have informed you about some changes that have been made to keep you, your colleagues and your customers safe. To protect everyone in the office, you may have been assigned a different desk so that you are sitting two metres away from your colleagues.
There may be a screen set up on your desk so that to reduce the risk of transmitting Coronavirus. You may have to wear a mask when you greet customers or when enter communal areas. Telephone appointments may have changed to face-to-face appointments or vice versa.
All of these changes take getting used to. But they have been put in place to protect everyone from getting Coronavirus and so that businesses can reopen to boost the economy.
Notify your line manger if you are having a problem so that it can be resolved.
Unfortunately, making changes at work doesn’t always go smoothly. There may not be enough equipment for employees to use, certain types of software may not work properly or there may not be enough desks or chairs for everyone.
Some people may need special software to work with such as software for dyslexia which may not be immediately accessible. There are some people who may require special furniture such as chairs that provide back support or equipment that supports those who have certain health conditions.
Whatever you need to help you feel more comfortable at work or to make your job flow more smoothly, notify your line manager so that they can help you to resolve the problem.
Take it one day at a time.
To be suddenly bombarded by so many changes when you return to work can be overwhelming and it may take getting used to. The things you were once freely able to do at work, you may not be able to do it anymore. There are new rules about social distancing and seeing customers may make you very nervous.
You may feel a bit disorganized and worried about catching the virus. You may find it hard at first to cope with all the new changes at work. Take it one day at a time. Familiarise yourself with all the new rules and policies put in place and if there is something you don’t understand, ask your line manager.
If it gets to be too much, take some time off from work.
Your health is very important, not just your physical health but your mental health also. Things can get stressful at work with all the changes that you may find hard to cope with. Don’t let work take a toll on your mental health. If you feel that it is getting too much, apply for annual leave.
You may need to take some time off to rest and to get yourself mentally ready to handle all the changes at work. If you need further support, talk to your line manager about how you feel and find out if there is a support network you could join. Also, if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid, inform your line manager immediately, make sure you self-isolate and take a Covid test.
The changes you experience at work may also be accompanied by fear, uncertainty, anxiety, and resistance. You don’t have to face these changes alone. Your employer has made these changes for your protection and to build the business.
To help you to adjust to all the changes at work, ensure that you understand the reasons for all the changes, notify your line manager of any problems you experience that need to be resolved, take it one day at a time, and take time off work if it gets to be too much for you. Adjusting to change shouldn’t have to be difficult or stressful. These techniques should help you to effectively adjust to changes in the present and in the future.
