I don’t want to return to my workplace…

As lockdown eases, you may find yourself under increasing pressure from your employer to return to the workplace. For some, this will be a welcome relief; for others, a source of stress. If it’s the latter, what are your options?

Firstly, if your reluctance to return to your workplace is due to concerns about safety, it’s important to know that, while government guidance on working from home is likely to change, businesses will still have to show they are Covid-secure. You can report a business to the Health & Safety Executive if you are worried.

One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that previously resistant employers have seen that remote working is effective, although remote working through Covid-19 has been far from normal. For many, it’s been much more isolating and difficult.

So your employer may be open to discussing with you different ways of working. Many businesses are anticipating greater hybrid working, with people working some days from home and some in the workplace. Others may need more persuasion. It’s important to be clear about what you want, to think through the possible impact on your colleagues and to address any legitimate concerns of your employer.

Firstly, you need to consider what works best for you and your family. If you have school-aged children and little wraparound care available, hybrid working means you can get the benefits of both face to face contact and remote working and still be around at least part of the week to do the school run. But there are also other considerations, including your own motivation. Can you easily stay motivated when working alone?

Once you have established how you want to work, think through how this might affect your colleagues, your ability to do your job and your career prospects. Whilst many jobs can be done remotely, different jobs lend themselves to different forms of flexible working.

Read more about remote working options and getting the most out of hybrid working in our latest issue.