Navigating Post-Lockdown: How Would You Address Employee Fears About Returning to the Office?

Hello Members,

Trust you all are safe and healthy!

After lockdown, most of the companies will start resuming offices. I stay in Mumbai, the most affected city in all of India. In this given situation, there is a possibility that a few employees may still insist on working from home because they're afraid of getting infected (on humanitarian grounds, I understand the dilemma), but we have to start at some point, right?

How will you guys tackle this situation?

Fear, rarely facts, is still the greatest motivator for many of us income-earners. Hence, in this Covid-19 pandemic situation, the income-earners are most likely to decide when each would be ready, albeit willingly, to resume. This is our personal take. One option for employers is to remain sensitive.

Harsh K Sharan, Kritarth Team, 12.5.20

Addressing Employee Concerns About Returning to the Office

If everything is okay, why should you worry? You can send a circular stating that everyone should work from the office only, effective from a certain date. Anybody not reporting shall be marked absent and, in due course, removed from service. Just on getting the first notice of removal from service, their fear of getting infected will be over. They are not actually worried about COVID-19 but are worried about employment only. As long as you pamper them by allowing working from home with 50% or 70% productivity, they will be happy staying at home. If you change your attitude and take a firm stance, they will come to the office and ensure 100% productivity.