Mental health for the great return to office

COVID-19 has significantly blurred the boundaries between one's residence and the workplace. The pressures traditionally found in the workplace have been digitally 'transmitted' via Zoom and Teams into the home environment. Consequently, the previous sanctuary of personal space and solace in the home environment has become the workplace - resulting in the case of 'bringing work home'.

Now that the latest Covid wave is beginning to crest in different countries, leaders and employers will need to plan for the great return to the office - welcoming more associates back to the pre-Covid workplace from the home-workplace.

Companies will do well to use this transition time to prepare for a surge in mental health challenges among workers, as many are suffering higher rates of stress, anxiety and depression due to the unprecedented psychological upheaval of the pandemic.