How To Transition From Working From Home to Going Back to the Office

Working from home can be an excellent option for many people, but it has been purely a necessity for others. If you have had to work from home recently but are about to go back to the office, you should consider how to make the transition. You won't have access to your kitchen anymore, and you'll have to use your work desk and supplies. Consider how you can make the transition easier so that you won't waste any time.

Prepare Ahead of Time

As soon as you know you'll be going back to the office, do what you can to prepare. If you have been using a company computer, make sure that you charge it so that it's ready to head back to the office with you. You may also have stopped using a briefcase or work bag since you haven't had a commute. In that case, find that work bag and pack it with all of your work supplies, such as pens or a paystub generator.

Fill Up on Gas

The night before your first day at the office, make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you've been working from home, odds are you haven't been using your car as much. Check your car's fuel tank, and check your tire pressure so that you can safely drive to work the next day. If you work far away, you may also want to familiarize yourself with its location again. Check the area around your office to see if there are any construction projects that may get in your way.

Pack Your Lunch

Another way to prepare before you go back to work is to pack your lunch. While you can go out for lunch, that can get expensive, and you're probably used to eating food from home anyway. Prepare some leftovers or make a sandwich to eat during the day. If you like to snack during the morning or afternoon, pack some easy snacks that you can grab and eat while working.

Give Extra Time

The morning of your first day back at the office, give yourself some extra time to get ready and go to work. You may not think you need it, but after months of working from home, you will want that added time. Having more time means you can get ready without feeling in a rush. You can ensure that you have everything you need for a full day at work, and you won't have to be stressed about being late while you commute.

Have Realistic Expectations

Your first day back at the office will probably feel like your first day working from home. After all, you're in a different environment than you're used to. Because of this, you may not be as productive as you usually are, and that's okay. Odds are you'll want to catch up with your coworkers, and you will need to reorganize your desk. You may also want to sanitize your desk area so that you can comfortably work.

Keep Things as Similar as Possible

During your first few days back at the office, try to simulate your work-from-home environment. Of course, now you're surrounded by coworkers, and you're back at the office. But if you're used to listening to music while working, put on some headphones so that you can focus. If you've been taking short breaks every hour to stretch, see if you can do that. As you transition back to the office, you may need to let these things go, but ask your boss if you can slowly phase them out.

Go Back to the Office Part-Time

Depending on your job, you may be able to work from home efficiently for at least part of the time. Ask your boss if you can start coming into the office a few days a week while working from home on the other days. Then, you can still get back into the swing of being in an office, but you can also keep working from home. Once you're ready to go back to the office all week, you can do that.

Put Your Health First

If you feel sick or otherwise uncomfortable with returning to the office, let your boss know. Ask them if there's any way you can continue to work from home so that you can go back to the office when you're ready. Your health should come first, and you shouldn't be afraid to talk to your boss about that. If you absolutely have to return to the office, make sure you can distance yourself from your coworkers to limit your exposure so that you can feel safe.

Going back to an office after working from home can be a challenge. You have to readjust to a routine that you haven't had for a few months. If you need to go back, consider a few ways you can make the transition easier on yourself.