Returning With Purpose: 15 Lessons from Companies That Reinvented the Office Comeback

As the world adapts post-pandemic, many organizations are navigating the complex transition back to physical offices. Rather than rush blindly, there’s much to learn from companies that have already taken steps. Below are 15 lessons that can inform a more deliberate, thoughtful return to the workplace.

1. Let Returning Be a Personal Decision

To respect individual comfort levels and signal trust, some companies have allowed employees to choose whether they return to the office. The underlying idea: every person should find their own motivation to come in.

2. Reimagine the Office’s Purpose

With remote work proving that many tasks can be done productively from home, the role of the office is evolving. Many see it as a hub for collaboration, social interaction, and a break from isolation — rather than as the default place of work.

3. Phase the Return Gradually

Not all employees need to return at once. Some workplaces bring back only a fraction of the workforce initially, easing the load on infrastructure, airflow systems, and health protocols.

4. Balance Efficiency and Employee Well-Being

Ask simple but meaningful questions like, “How was your commute today?” or “Did you feel safe onsite?” These conversations help shape policy decisions that are both humane and effective.

5. Redefine In-Office vs Remote Roles

The pandemic has forced many organizations to rethink which functions truly require being onsite. Tasks in HR, project management, content creation, and development increasingly prove feasible remotely — so now is a good moment to revisit job descriptions and workplace assumptions.

6. Use Alternating or Staggered Shifts

Rather than crowding everyone in together, some companies stagger employee schedules (alternate days or shifts). This reduces density and helps enforce distancing more naturally.

7. Avoid Peak Commuting Times

For employees using public transit, commuting safely is a real challenge. By adjusting start times to avoid rush hours, companies reduce risk and ease stress for those traveling to the office.

8. Set Clear Mask Exemptions and Rules

While mask use is widely adopted, clarity is essential. Policies should define who may be exempt and under what conditions, and provide explicit instructions on how masks must be worn.

9. Encourage Shared Responsibility

Rather than arbitrarily determining fault if someone becomes ill, many companies advocate open dialogue. Employees and leadership should agree ahead of time how health risks and responsibilities are managed.

10. Prepare a Plan B

The future may bring shifting restrictions. Forward-thinking organizations maintain fallback options (like reverting to remote work) to preserve continuity and minimize disruption.

11. Institute Health Screening Protocols

Some regions require temperature checks or health questionnaires before employees enter the workplace. Early screening can help mitigate risk before someone even steps inside.

12. Modify the Physical Workspace

Some of the changes companies have implemented include:

• Asking people to leave shoes at the entrance
  

• Adding more handwashing stations
  

• Using easily sanitizable surfaces
  

• Marking floors for safe distance
  

• Boosting ventilation and airflow

These measures help make returning more feasible and safer.

13. Leverage Remote-Friendly Technologies

Technology firms, in particular, are leading the way in reducing the need for in-office presence. Tools like virtual conferencing, collaborative platforms, and remote onboarding make hybrid or distributed setups viable.

14. Monitor and Adapt Over Time

Returning to the office isn't a one-and-done event. It should be treated as a gradual, iterative process, adjusting as conditions and feedback evolve.

15. Embrace a Slow, Deliberate Ramp-Up

As Google CEO Sundar Pichai put it:

“Ramp back to the office will be slow, deliberate and incremental.”

A thoughtful approach that accommodates safety, flexibility, and trust tends to yield more sustainable results.

As your organization considers the path forward, the key is to design a return-to-office strategy that balances safety, flexibility, and productivity. Every company’s journey is unique — but learning from those who have gone before can help you create a workplace that truly supports both business goals and employee well-being.

If you’re ready to rethink your workplace strategy or need expert guidance tailored to your team, get in touch with Hireplicity today.