A Return to Normalcy After Pandemic Life
How to Chart the Path for Your Organization
Many of us have discussed and longed for a return to normalcy for months. But as we now know, returning to normal will not be simple. COVID-19 has changed many aspects of our daily lives, from how we report to work, how we engage with friends and family, and the actions we take to stay safe and healthy. As vaccinations are on the rise, the disruption caused by COVID-19 is easing and a return to some sort of normalcy is ours to shape.
This is an uncharted path, and there will be questions at every turn. What does normalcy look like for your organization? How can we make that experience better for our employees, our residents, and our community? As you chart this new territory, here are some thoughts to keep in mind.
Staying Safe Post-COVID-19
While we are eager to return to the way things were before the pandemic, not all of our COVID-19 safety practices and measures should be quickly forgotten. Ask yourself what you need and want to be safe, and what will keep others around you safe, in a post-COVID-19 environment.
Offer Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Be gentle on yourself, your coworkers, and your employees. The impact of COVID-19 on our mental and emotional health was in many cases severe and can be long lasting, so it will not magically go away overnight, even as restrictions are ending. Find ways to support a healthy work-life balance and offer flexibility during the transition.
Practice Empathy
Many of us in senior care have remained on the job in person for the duration of the pandemic. Other organizations had many employees shift to full-time remote capacity for the last 12 months. These individuals have become used to their at-home routine and its impact on other aspects of their life—for example, the lack of a commute may have given them more time to care for children and family members and handle chores and errands. Returning to in-person work after being remote for so long will be an adjustment. Find ways to practice empathy and offer flexibility to these employees.
Every unique group or organization will have distinct challenges in this “new normal.” It will take ongoing discussions, a willingness to adapt, and collaboration to make the transition successful. As you contemplate what the return to normalcy will look like at your organization, let us know if we can offer any guidance or support.