If you’re someone who began your career since 2020, it’s possible that you have little experience showing up to your job in person. In fact, for many of you, this year may be your first in the office. A recent survey shows that 90% of employers with office space or who plan to have office space will ask their employees to come in regularly by the end of 2024. That’s a big increase for the U.S., which currently has a 55% return to office rate compared to Europe at 75% and Asia-Pacific at 85%.
Where your work meets your life.
Going into the Office for the First Time?
Here’s what you need to know.
February 26, 2024
HBR Staff; Peter Dazeley/oxygen/Getty Images
Summary.
More and more workplaces are beginning to call employees back to the office. If you started your career during the pandemic, this may be a big shift for you. How can you manage it? Here are a few tips to help reduce your stress, and set you up for success:
- Reimagine your routine. Figure out what time you need to be at your desk, and then rework your schedule to make sure you’ll be there on time. This may involve waking up earlier to run a few errands and calculating your commute.
- Get the right gear. Think about what you’ll need to feel comfortable at work. For instance, you may need a backpack to carry your laptop to and from the office, or noise-canceling headphones to help you avoid distractions.
- Update your tech. Reach out to your IT department ahead of time to make sure you have everything you need to set up your laptop when you arrive.
- Pay attention to office culture. The culture in the office may look different than it did online. Observe how people act in meetings, how often your colleagues take breaks, and what appropriate work clothes look like.
- Embrace the opportunity. Even though it may feel scary at first, returning to the office is a great chance to network and grow your visibility. Take advantage of this by interacting with your peers, your boss, and your coworkers regularly.