Hopefully, 2021 will be the year enforced working from home will come to an end. Of course, some people may choose to continue working remotely on a full-time basis. Others, however, will want or need to go back to a co-working space, at least some of the time. If that’s you, then here are some tips for making the transition.
Remember you’ve done this before
Going back to work on-site may feel a bit like starting a new job. In fact, it’s perfectly understandable if you feel like you need to work on your confidence before you go back. Just keep in mind that you are going back to a job you did perfectly well before. You know your way to the building, you know your way around the building and you know what to do.
Check the rule book
That said, it’s a good idea to check if there are any new rules or procedures you need to know. Most employers will actively send employees information on any key changes. They may even provide training on them. If they don’t, however, it can be worth double-checking just to be on the safe side.
Make sure that your clothes still fit you
Depending on how you’ve been spending lockdown, you may be bigger or smaller than you used to be when you were last in the office. It’s, therefore, a good idea to check that you can still get into your old work clothes. It’s an even better idea to do this well in advance so you have time to get new clothes if you need them.
Trying on your old clothes will also allow you to see what sort of state they’re in. If they need minor repairs, then make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get them done. This is particularly important if you’re planning on having a professional do them for you (e.g. reheeling shoes). You may find that later on, everyone else wants their items repaired too.
Deal with any dental work
You don’t see much of a person’s mouth on a video call. You don’t see a person’s mouth at all under a mask. Hopefully, however, 2021 will see masks being consigned to niche occupations (like surgery) and everybody else being able to smile.
If you have any dental issues, then you should contact your dentist as soon as possible. They may have a backlog of delayed appointments from 2020. If, however, you just have minor cosmetic issues, then you may be able to get in-home treatment options from companies like Alpha Veneers.
Review your transport options
If you’re planning on using your own car, then you probably want to book a service as soon as possible. Even though it might not have seen much use over the last year, it may have some minor work needing done.
If you’re planning on using public transit, it’s generally best to wait to nearer the time before you check the schedule. Also, keep alert for ongoing changes. It may take some time before transit services stabilize again.
Make Sure You Have Everything You Need
When you are heading back into the office after working from home you need to make sure that you have everything you need. It can be tricky packing everything up and transporting it to the office but it has to be done. You might also need some other bits and pieces such as extra masks and stationery. You can get these online if you shop around in the right places. You will also go back to needing your ID card if your company uses them. Make sure you have this to hand when you arrive at the building. You could purchase a lanyard or extending badge reels to make this easier for you. 
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