REMOTE WORK AFTER COVID: Getting back to the office

Posted on September 28, 2020 in Consulting

For years, I hated the idea of working from home. Still, from mid-March to recently I worked remotely. I surprised myself during the first few months of telecommuting. I adopted rules and habits to force productivity. I ironed my shorts (no joke) and self-imposed a collared shirt policy. We converted a room filled with insignificant junk (including a large cat tree) into a nice work space where I stayed put during traditional work hours.

But then things slipped. I found myself in the kitchen more than necessary and saw the impact on the waist-line. (I now own a Peloton.) I started working all the time and going into the home-office Saturday and Sunday. I held myself accountable for unproductivity during the day by working nights. My work and home separation grew very fuzzy. I also realized that managing remotely was far less than desirable and, that over time, it became seriously challenging. Finally, communicating by Zoom beats the telephone but ranks well below in-person interaction.

I made the recent decision to return to the office. I confess I should have done it a month sooner. I put on professional attire and felt more like a lawyer. I also made sure to follow the rules: lots of hand sanitizer, masks all the time, and appropriate distancing. It feels so good to be back.

My own experience motivated me to host a webinar on October 22, 2020, focused solely on remote work now and after COVID. During this webinar, we will address and discuss:

1. Remote Work after COVID: How employers prepare for employee requests for long-term remote arrangements. What rules and criteria should businesses impose on remote work.

2 Key Provisions for Remote Work Policies: Everyone needs a remote policy. Is your policy adapted to today’s environment?

3. Remote Work and the ADA: Does the law require an employer provide remote as a reasonable accommodation?

I hope you will join us.