Introducing the Solution to a SAFE Return to Work

Whenever I check my LinkedIn lately, I’m inundated with a LOT of information – posts, blogs, whitepapers, and infographics –about “Adjusting to the New Normal” and “Returning to Work.” Don’t get me wrong, COVID-19 has fundamentally disrupted the business landscape over the past 9 months and will continue to present obstacles for the foreseeable future. There is something to be said in preparing your organization for how you will work in this ‘New Normal,’ but most of this content feels short-sighted and trendy.

To me, these articles seem to be packed to the brim with buzzwords and what is even more concerning, disconnected from the larger picture of work going forward. There is a clear gap between the theory of the future of work during and post-pandemic and actually living it on a daily basis; from juggling homeschooling to managing a growing to-do list. The need for applicable knowledge that you can read and practice on an individual, team or enterprise-level, is evident.

To be honest, it’s hard to remember where we were before all of this. The ‘workplace’ was already in the midst of an inevitable transformation long before COVID-19; the pandemic just expedited the process. It is a fact that the pandemic changed how teams and individuals work. From leadership to rapid operating model reinvention, nothing could have prepared us for this transition to support fully remote and hybrid work teams.

Adapted operating models and ways to work emerged out of necessity. They delivered pieced-together practices using preexisting resources, rather than innovating to thrive in the ‘new normal’. The fallout of this haphazard approach was clear: 3-hour Zoom calls, endless emails, and back-to-back meetings all day long.

On top of all this, the data doesn’t provide an accurate picture of the implicit impact of these new operating models on the remote and hybrid workforce. We are amid monumental and lasting change from employee health and wellbeing to cross-departmental communication, from corporate culture deterioration to team productivity. For example, reports show dramatically increased staff productivity, while others show increased burnout and exhaustion. No solid conclusions have been made on any of these pressing issues – the data points in both directions.

So, what’s the truth? Are employees more exhausted and stressed? Or, are they more productive and satisfied in their jobs than they have ever been? The answer to both questions appears to be “yes.” While that may feel like a cop-out of an answer, when you look at how companies are adjusting their operating models, you see dramatically different responses and results.

Adapt Your Business Model for this New Reality

The truth is, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” response that will solve this problem for everyone. While some questions are universal, the core solution stems from a whole host of decisions that will deliver a largely personal, unique solution in this new reality. A SAFE solution. 

What is a SAFE Return to Work?

Over the coming weeks, we will explore how you can plan and execute a SAFE Return to Work through a variety of topics on the ‘New Normal,’ including returning to the workplace safely, enabling productive remote work, and ultimately, driving future successes. We will cover:

• Business Model Innovation in Response to COVID-19
• A Plan for Your Return to the Office and a Safe Reopening
• Tools You Can Use that Will Help Assess Productivity and Customer Experience
• The Future of Work: On-Premise, Remote & Hybrid Employee Productivity
• Management Techniques for the Modern Workforce
• The Benefits and Drawbacks of Working in this New Normal
• Keeping up with Federal, State, and Local Regulations
• Prioritization of Your Back to Work Service Portfolio
• Changes in the Workplace: Culture and Diversity

Since every organization has a unique business model and culture, a one-size-fits-all solution will not be interchangeable across companies. At Accelare, our objective is not to just provide the tactical recommendations to build a SAFE and productive workforce, but to provide our clients the tools necessary to understand their gaps and to build a solution tailored to their needs.

To learn more about Accelare’s SAFE Return to Work Solution, click here! For more information, best practices and the likes, don't forget to subscribe to our blog!