Remote working has its challenges, and many employees have needed to take a leave of absence during employment for a number of unforeseen circumstances.
In this article, we will be exploring how organizations can welcome remote employees back after a long leave of absence.
What is a long leave of absence for?
A long leave of absence permits employees to take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a number of months off work to recover as needed.
A long leave of absence can be requested for numerous reasons, such as:
- Maternity, paternity, or adoption leave;
- Attending to medical needs (including short term inpatient rehab);
- Providing care for family members and other dependents;
- Attending jury duty; and
- Accompanying an employee to a disciplinary hearing.
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why an employee might request a long leave of absence from their place of employment. But what can be done to welcome them back after a long leave of absence?
How to welcome an employee back to work
When an employee has been absent from work for an extended period of time, a lot can happen.
From changes to work processes and new clients to new hires and more responsibilities, the role they are returning to could look quite different from the one they left. As such, it is imperative that they are welcomed back to work with care and sensitivity.
Below are some of the ways employers and leadership teams can make the readjustment period a little easier.
Communication is key
We have all discovered the challenges of remote working in recent years. From the feelings of isolation to the struggles of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, remote working can be difficult.
If an employee has been absent from work for an extended period of time, welcoming them back to work (especially if they are working remotely) must be navigated with care.
Communication is the key to a smooth transition. Internal communication can range from emails and phone calls to video conferencing and one-to-one meetings.
Whatever form of communication you choose, taking the time to meet with and listen to the needs of your employees is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition back into work after a long leave of absence.
Introduce flexible working
If there’s one term that makes an organization appealing to work for, it’s flexible working!
Since the uptake of remote working, flexible working has become a necessity for many businesses.
Whether it’s needed to manage the demands of childcare, help structure work requirements around family commitments, or as a way to manage mental health symptoms, flexible working has become commonplace for workforces around the world.
Welcoming an employee back after a long leave of absence goes a lot more smoothly when flexible working arrangements are possible.
Whether your employee has been on maternity leave, taking a leave of absence due to prolonged sickness, or taking a break to care for their mental health; whatever the reason, flexible working is a great way to help returning employees feel more in control of their time.
This alone can significantly reduce any first-day-back nerves.
Clear organization and structured work
For returning employees, it can sometimes be difficult to hit the ground running. After all, a lot may have changed.
Remote working can make the reintroduction process more challenging as it’s harder for returning employees to sit down with their colleagues and catch up on everything they’ve missed.
As we have already mentioned, communication is the key to support employees returning to work. However, it only goes so far. Another very important factor is clear organization and work structure.
Returning employees should be able to see the work that has been done during their absence and be able to catch up on what they’ve missed.
As such, having clear organizational structures in place is extremely important and ensures your employee can step back into their role with confidence.
Tools such as Trello and Basecamp are excellent spaces for organizing work projects and giving returning employees an overview of project timelines, work processes, and what is required of them.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of structure and clarity to be productive and ensure a smooth transition back to work.
Provide mental health support
Now is as good a time as any to start prioritizing the mental health of your employees.
Mental health isn’t just a buzzword, with HealthDay News reporting, that three-quarters of Americans plan to start 2024 with a resolution to be more healthy, including 28% who want to focus on improving their mental health.
Such a significant rise in mental health struggles has caused hundreds, if not thousands, of employees to take leaves of absence from work in previous years to rest and receive the treatment they need.
Whether your employees are returning from a leave of absence for reasons relating to mental health or for something else entirely, providing the right support is vital.
According to Forbes Human Resources Council “[E]mployees who feel supported and valued by their employers when it comes to mental health report higher job satisfaction, better productivity and lower rates of absenteeism. These benefits also have positive ripple effects on team morale, as colleagues feel more connected and supported by each other.”
A few ways you can provide mental health support include offering one-to-one contact sessions every week where you can:
- Listen to your employee’s needs;
- Identify early signs of burnout, stress, and overwhelm; and
- Provide any support needed.
You can also provide free therapy sessions, offer flexible working arrangements and excuse an employee from big client meetings or scenarios they find stressful.
Often, the best way to support an employee struggling with their mental health is to ask how you can help and provide opportunities for them to seek the professional care they need.
Final Words
Returning to remote working after a long leave of absence can be tricky. Many things are different from returning to in-person office work. However, we hope the strategies listed above help your team ensure a smooth transition.
Returning employees will always feel supported and cared for if you just take the time to welcome them back properly.
Guest Writer
