The Return to Work Checklist for Emotionally Healthy Workplaces

Contents
1. PLAN YOUR RETURN......................................................................................................................2
a. Start With Intention...................................................................................................................2
b. Start Slow...................................................................................................................................2
c. Emotional Checkins....................................................................................................................2
d. Back to work retreat..................................................................................................................2
2. INVOLVE EVERYONE......................................................................................................................2
a. Ask for inputs.............................................................................................................................2
b. Create return to work teams.....................................................................................................2
c. Share a preparedness plan........................................................................................................2
d. Communicate............................................................................................................................2
e. Let culture conversations happen..............................................................................................2
3. BUILD PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY.....................................................................................................3
a. Put a wellbeing policy in place...................................................................................................3
b. Debate remote, flexible and hybrid...........................................................................................3
4. SUPPORT WELLBEING....................................................................................................................3
a. Employee Health Screenings.....................................................................................................3
b. Grief counseling.........................................................................................................................3
c. Vaccination drives......................................................................................................................3
d. Group Health Insurance.............................................................................................................3
e. Mental Health Support..............................................................................................................3
f. Partner with doctor consultation group....................................................................................3
5. ALLOW FLEXIBITY...........................................................................................................................3
a. Vulnerable employees...............................................................................................................3
b. How to support unwilling employees........................................................................................3
c. Compensation Policies...............................................................................................................3
d. Remote work policies................................................................................................................3
e. Decentralise decision making related to health and safety.......................................................3
f. Sick and Health leave policies....................................................................................................3
g. Mental health leave policies......................................................................................................3
h. Attendance polices....................................................................................................................3
6. PROVIDE STRUCTURED TRAINING.................................................................................................3
a. Training for managers on mental health of employees.............................................................3
b. Coaching support.......................................................................................................................3
 c. New hire onboarding.................................................................................................................3
d. Reboarding of existing employees.............................................................................................3
7. BE PREPARED.................................................................................................................................4
a. Anticipate issues........................................................................................................................4
b. Seek legal inputs to rework policies...........................................................................................4
c. Cleaning guidelines....................................................................................................................4
d. Physical distancing.....................................................................................................................4
e. Travel and Commute Guidelines................................................................................................4
f. Business continuity plan............................................................................................................4
g. Visitor guidelines.......................................................................................................................4
8. COMMUNICATE FREQUENTLY.......................................................................................................4
a. Welcome Back Townhall............................................................................................................4
b. Daily briefings............................................................................................................................4
c. Weekly and Monthly updates....................................................................................................4
9. INVOLVE LEADERSHIP....................................................................................................................4
a. Create a Leadership Council to support Return to work............................................................4
b. Get your Chief Wellbeing Officer on board (Or get a part time CWO).......................................4
1. PLAN YOUR RETURN
a. Start With Intention
b. Start Slow
c. Emotional Checkins
d. Back to work retreat

2. INVOLVE EVERYONE
a. Ask for inputs
b. Create return to work teams
c. Share a preparedness plan
d. Communicate
e. Let culture conversations happen

3. BUILD PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY

a. Put a wellbeing policy in place
b. Debate remote, flexible and hybrid

4. SUPPORT WELLBEING
a. Employee Health Screenings
b. Grief counseling
c. Vaccination drives
d. Group Health Insurance
e. Mental Health Support
f. Partner with doctor consultation group

5. ALLOW FLEXIBITY
a. Vulnerable employees
b. How to support unwilling employees
c. Compensation Policies
d. Remote work policies
e. Decentralise decision making related to health and safety
f. Sick and Health leave policies
g. Mental health leave policies
h. Attendance polices
6. PROVIDE STRUCTURED TRAINING
a. Training for managers on mental health of employees
b. Coaching support
c. New hire onboarding
d. Reboarding of existing employees

7. BE PREPARED
a. Anticipate issues
b. Seek legal inputs to rework policies
c. Cleaning guidelines
d. Physical distancing
e. Travel and Commute Guidelines
f. Business continuity plan
g. Visitor guidelines

8. COMMUNICATE FREQUENTLY
a. Welcome Back Townhall
b. Daily briefings
c. Weekly and Monthly updates

9. INVOLVE LEADERSHIP
a. Create a Leadership Council to support Return to work
b. Get your Chief Wellbeing Officer on board (Or get a part time CWO)