Getting Back to Work | PTCL

Employees who have been working remotely are eager to get back to work and expect employers to keep them safe when they do. According to a new survey by Glassdoor, most employees (72 percent) are eager to get back to work after working remotely during the pandemic. Employees are most excited about socializing with coworkers and resuming in-person collaborations, but they also expect their employers to make changes for health and safety while the threat of Covid-19 still looms.

While it is exciting to get back to some degree of normal, it can also be nerve-wracking as things are different and we all need to figure out how to navigate through the new lifestyle. We get it because we are right there with you.

To help you and your teams stay motivated we rounded up the experience of our employees at PTCL as they head back to work. Some are availing the hybrid option while some are back to work full time. Let’s hear from them:

1) Danish Nazir- Manager Digitization

I won’t talk much about work as I believe at PTCL we managed to work from home amazingly well. To me what I missed most was the warmth of my colleagues and friends in PTCL. Working from home made me realize the importance of each of my co-worker and friend. The best part of returning to office was our usual idea sharing sessions over chai which I thoroughly missed during the quarantine period. However, now that we are back to work, I would like to give a small piece of advice to everyone out there: Please try to be considerate and kind to your fellows during the transition phase of returning to office as for some it may be a difficult phase.

2) Aimen Saeed-Assistant Manager HR

I moved to a new role from Islamabad to Karachi in May when the offices were closed so my role transition was done generally via phone and Microsoft teams by my manager. After given the new role, I worked for the new team without knowing them at all. However, for me getting back to office was a delight as I got an opportunity to socialize with my new team members, my manager and the stakeholders. After our office resumed, I explored my new office and the new city. So, I am happy to be back to work with my mask and sanitizer

3) Shahzaib Tanveer-Assistant Manager Prism Management

When the year 2020 began, I never thought that I would be spending time working and staying inside my house. The minute COVID-19 lockdown started and work from home was announced, I really got excited with the idea of not getting ready, skipping commuting, working in the comfort of my bed, however, soon reality struck everyone and now I am back to office twice a week. After being back, I realized how much I missed the lunch breaks and the fun talk session with my peers. My peers often ask me about my parrot who often whistled and would abruptly start talking during my Zoom and team meetings while we were working from home. Nonetheless, it is great to be back to office with new learnings and with a high spirit.

4) Zurgham Shirazi-General Manager Carrier Services

Returning to office after around 5 months is a wonderful experience for me. It felt like a season transition from Autumn to Spring, as Work from Home became monotonous over the period with no social interaction with colleagues and business partners. Returning to work has certainly been a delight after a much long break.

5) Mohsin Raza Zaidi-Assistant Manger Digital Learning

Working from home, or working from office, I really couldn’t care less as long as I’m being paid on time. I know one shouldn’t resent the fact that they have to work for a living, since even superman works 9 to 5. But it’s hard to be all chirpy when the best thing about your job is that your chair spins and you get to play badminton in the evenings. I know this mentality is rather inky for someone who is working for a living, but I still keep it and am enjoying my time after being back to work. ??

6) Maham Naveed-Assistant Manager Talent Acquisition

While it’s nice to get out of the house and fix my otherwise nocturnal routine, I’ve face immeasurable inertia with regards to getting ready every morning and prepping for a long and tiring commute. I guess it’s safe to say I already miss waking up 10 minutes before a Teams meeting and having my umpteenth bowl of cereal with the microphone muted. My prime consolation, however, is calling it a day at 5pm sharp as opposed to working until 8 or 9 pm every day. You win some, you lose some, I guess.

7) Nouman Hasan-Senior Manager Performance Management

Coming back to work after a long break is a cruel reminder of things like a wake-up alarm that I had not setup for a long time, driving in the peak/rush hours and standing in the long ques on the roads. But this all seems worth it once you are in office, with your team after some very tough months.

8) Haroon Amjad-Manager Employee Experience

Working from home offered the kind of feel that had me yearning for office. The office conversations, casual chats and so much more that was hard to replicate at home. Going to office after weeks was more of a prestige, in and of itself, that allowed me to realize people create meaning, spaces have in them messages to hear and see both. Yet, I will not deny how I occasionally miss the enjoyment of working from home.

9) Muhammad AbuBakr-Manager Talent & Culture

Everyone’s situation is unique. While transitioning back to office I had mixed feelings. I was confused and excited at the same time. My worry was that many will be ignoring the safety precautions, however it was good to see that everyone was wearing masks, using sanitizers and respecting the social distance. The only thing which still worries me is the drive to work :) Rest we are fully enabled digitally, and I missed my co-workers and was happy to finally meet them again.

10) Tasneem Akhtar-Business Partner

No wonder one feel wistful when our well-guarded break comes to an end, whether it was for vacation, personal leave or Covid 19.Though I was remotely working from home for the past five months but mixed feelings of discontent and excitement to return back to work were surely there. I indeed missed my entire team and my relaxing workspace during this break but getting back to work after a long time was a different experience altogether. We had to take extra care and were advised to follow SOPs strictly, so all my colleagues and I always have our masks on and sanitizers in hands. I guess this is the new normal now!

After reading the response of our colleagues, we are certain you will be able to relate to their views. If you are in the phase of transitioning from home to office, we wish you all the best. Keep safe and keep smiling.