With many Canadian office workers making the switch this September from remote working to in-person 3-day workweeks, or even going back to the office full time, as is the case for most federal employees, it’s important to remember that transitions or change of any kind can be a minor inconvenience for one person or total agony for another. Whether it’s full or part time, here are a few helpful tips to successfully navigate your return to the office this fall.

Reset the alarm clock
Getting to the office looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed takes a little planning. That may mean going to bed and waking up a little earlier to give you enough time to prepare for the day and take on your commute. For some, an early start to the day can be a source of anxiety or a total shock to the system. Make sure to manage your expectations as best as you can (yes, there will be traffic, and the bus may not get to your stop on time), and make sure to plan ahead, starting by setting an early wake-up time.

Break times are important
When you work from home, it’s easy to power through lunch and breaks. Team productivity may be a priority, but so is team camaraderie, especially in an in-office environment. One of the best ways to do that is through casual coffee break convos. No need to head down to the corner coffee shop for your daily caffeine fix. Just invite a colleague on your way to the coffee station and brew yourselves your favourite beverages. It’ll give you time to catch up and truly press pause on your day-to-day.

Yes, there will be an adjustment period. It won’t be easy. But take comfort in knowing that your colleagues are also dealing with the same frustrations and new policies as you are. Finding common ground will allow you in turn to foster (in-person) team spirit and form stronger bonds, away from the siloed tiles of a Zoom call.