Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Managing the Stress of Returning
to the Workplace after COVID-19:
A Guide for Supervisors
The COVID-19 pandemic hasprocedures that impact worker
Although some workers look forward torequired physical distancing, which
well-being and productivity.
altered many aspects of personal■ Be Creative — Consider
face-to-face interactions with co-workers
and occupational life, including
practices that balance theand supervisors, others are likelyreduced in-person work. A shift tomutual strengths of virtual
remote work/tele-working changed
to feel reluctant.
and in-person work to create
how workers manage daily routines,
strategies that are positive
develop work goals, perform tasks,
for workers, as well as theand interact with one another.
organization.
Living with ongoing uncertainty caused by the■ Encourage Healthy Routines — Encourage employees
pandemic has been challenging for many workers
to get regular and adequate sleep, eat nutritious meals,
and their families. However, as rates of COVID-19
and engage in daily physical activity.
infection decline and more people are vaccinated, many
■ Develop Goals — Review how best to align workers’organizations are resuming in-person activities to improve
short- and long-term goals with in-person activities.
productivity and work performance. Although someworkers look forward to face-to-face interactions with coHelp to Transition to In-Person Work
workers and supervisors, others are likely to feel reluctant.
■ Re-establish Routines — Facilitate opportunities for
It is helpful to anticipate challenges returning to inworkers to re-establish routines that will foster a sense
person work, including: 1) re-establishing routines andof community in the workplace.
schedules; 2) defining new goals and tasks;
3) establishing workplace safety procedures, and;■ Encourage Connections — Help workers connect4) addressing uncertainty and worker questions about
regularly with each other to provide peer support, help
policy and procedures. Supervisors can assist workers
with problem-solving, and build team connections.
returning to the workplace by implementing simple■ Incorporate Breaks — Recommend workers takepractices, which are listed below.
regular breaks and, whenever possible, go outside to get
exposure to fresh air and daylight.
Help to Prepare for In-Person Work■ Communicate about Safety — Regularly send clear■ Anticipate Concerns — Be prepared to offer
messages to workers about how the workplace isadditional assistance and support to workers who do
staying up to date and complying with health and safety
not feel comfortable returning to the workplace.
guidelines.
■ Involve Personnel — Ask workers about challenges■ Manage Uncertainty — Help workers understand thatof returning to the workplace and potential solutions;information about COVID-19 and returning to theindividual conversations, group discussions, andworkplace is likely to evolve and, as a result, leadershipsurveys can all be useful.
will continually adjust practices and procedures to■ Address Challenges — Help workers plan how best
optimize the work environment.
to take care of family needs (e.g., vulnerable family■ Facilitate Growth — Model for workers how best tomembers, child care needs, and others).
adapt their skills and coping strategies as they return to■ Reduce Barriers — Assist their transition back to inthe workplace, and encourage their successful practices.
person work by reviewing and modifying policies and