Firstly, let’s remember that work is a value exchange. 

Most of us don’t do whatever we do just for love. In return for your effort, time and skills, you get some money and… hopefully something more. Something that makes it feel worthwhile, even important. Often it’s about being part of something bigger and better. About not being in this on our own.

Then along came Covid-19 and blew all that up.‍

Since March, we’ve been denied interaction, community, shared experiences. Worse still, lockdown killed those serendipitous meetings in corridors and coffee shops that spark new thinking, that generate genuine leaps forward. Working remotely, you can feel you’re just an input, feeding the machine but not getting fed. No surprise, then, that a lot of your people are really keen to get back to the office.

But not everyone.

For some, lockdown was a revelation. No commute, breakfast with the family, no office BS. Working from home (and if anything working better) is delivering value by the bucket full. They don’t want to go back.

But a lot do.

And the split seems to be by age and expectation. Those 3 to 5 years into the job are really missing 2 things.

Firstly, the social aspect. Office, pub, coffee shop, gym. They’re not long enough established to have a social circle outside work, so work is the social circle.

Secondly, they studied hard to join an organisation where they could learn from mentors and interact with bright colleagues. The recent fragmentation is not what they signed up for.

Worse still, by a cruel twist of fate (are twists of fate ever kindly?), the senior people who don’t want to go back are the very people the young turks want to be with and learn from.

The truth is, neither group is deriving value from being part of the whole. 

So you’re probably not getting the best from your staff, and they’re becoming a flight risk. When they feel like a commodity, a higher bid becomes tempting. So, make them feel part of the whole.

Remind everyone of the shared beliefs and purpose that make your organisation special. 

Emphasize their individual importance in the collective success.‍

Harness the full power of your people.

Find ways of sharing ideas that build on serendipity, diverse thinking and random sparks of genius. Capture the buzz of mutual enthusiasm and collective energy.

Demonstrate that the value they add is valued.

Celebrate the steps forward made during lockdown, no matter how small - a win is a win.

Encourage meaningful relationships.

Remember that those coming through are your future and their development depends on those who have gone before. Remind anyone enjoying lockdown isolation that they are still part of a shared future and have a part to play. Motivate where possible. Incentivise where necessary. 

Be transparent.

They want to know that a plan for the future exists. So, have one and reveal it.

Make health and mental wellness a priority.

Your people have suffered during lockdown, one way or another. They are your most important asset.Treat them with care and they’ll help get you through this. The word ‘company’ comes from the latin word ‘companio’ meaning ‘those with whom we eat bread’. You’re in it together. These are tough times but you’ll get through them better and recover faster if everyone pulls together.

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Getting everyone reengaged with the business and working effectively together is just one facet of driving the next stage of growth for businesses post pandemic.

At UNIT_ we have developed the Post Covid-19 Business Growth Programme designed to help you strengthen your internal culture, protect productivity and recover faster.