Four challenges one company is facing as employees return to work

A client began re-populating their offices in June. It didn't take long for issues to arise. See if any of these four examples sound familiar.

Office morale suffered as employees began working with new safety protocols. Mandatory face masks, no more water cooler talk or congregating in the kitchen or for that matter, anywhere else in the office. The socially distanced requirements and repetitive cleaning made the office environment feel "sterile" and camaraderie wasn't the same as before. Will this improve as employees become accustomed to the new normal?

Some employees who are still caregivers and home schoolers are ill-equipped to return to a regular office schedule. With school and summer activities canceled, working parents continue to juggle the work/home/family dynamics. Some can't afford to add additional daycare costs and even if they could, those services are in short supply. With the new school year right around the corner and some not opening, those challenges aren't going away soon.

Other employees with underlying conditions, who have been advised by their doctor against returning to an office environment– at least for the foreseeable future. Working from home is a medical requirement, not a personal choice.

Last, some employees with no restrictions or obstacles feel slighted (dare we say discriminated against) by being obligated to return to a regular Monday-Friday work routine. They empathize with the needs of their fellow employees but also resent not having the option of a more flexible work schedule. The "work from home" routine has inadvertently created new employee expectations.

Our client knows how they address these needs today can set precedents– and policy implications- for a long time to come. We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What would you do?