The Office Makes a Comeback
THE OFFICE IS RETURNING TO A LOCATION NEAR you this fall—and, no, we’re not talking about the employees of Dunder Mifflin. Although only an estimated one in four workers is physically back on the job this summer, that’s likely to change soon. In a recent CNBC survey, some 52 percent of companies with a majority of their staff now working remotely said they expect at least half of their employees to return to work in person by the start of September.
After six months of attending Zoom meetings from the comfort of your couch, it will likely feel strange, and a little scary, to be back at your desk, particularly with COVID-19 still posing a major threat to public health. What precautions can you expect your employer to take? Do you have options if you don’t feel ready to return? Is there any recourse if your company doesn’t have strict safety procedures in place or your co-workers don’t follow them?
To answer these questions, Newsweek spoke with medical, legal and workplace experts, who offered insights on everything from how best to protect your health to your legal rights if you believe your company isn’t providing a safe environment to work in. Here’s their advice.
What will my workplace look like when I return?
Chances are, you won’t be
