3 Tips to Stay Healthy While Returning to Work

Slowly but surely, America is returning to work. It’s an exciting prospect after over a year of lockdown. But we’re not yet at the point where you can simply walk into your old worksite and act exactly as you were acting in 2019. There are still precautions to be followed.

For many employees, staying healthy has been their number one concern. As employers start to bring people back into the office, how can you best stay healthy? What precautions should you continue to take, and what will the employer’s expectations be? How does this all interact with America’s accelerating vaccine campaign? We spoke with Aerotek Regional Safety Manager Ryan Miller about all of this. Here are his 3 tips to stay healthy while returning to work.

Pay attention to your mental health

First and foremost, remember that health isn’t just physical. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. When you feel comfortable mentally, you feel safe.

“Not everyone has the same comfort level, we don't know what everyone is feeling,” says Miller.

One of the best things you can do is be open about how you feel. It’s tough to get help if no one knows you’re struggling. Organizations don’t know what all their employees go through. But a staffing agency can make sure that every contractor is taken care of and feels safe and their environments.

Follow physical precautions

Vigilance goes a long way to maintaining your physical health during COVID-19. Follow CDC guidelines — keep your hands clean, social distance, wear masks if you’re not fully vaccinated. The guidelines have changed recently and may continue to evolve. Keep in touch with your employer to know their exact policies.

Employers have adjusted their site safety policies related to COVID-19, and they make sure everyone is following the same guidelines as everyone else. For example:

• Require personal protective equipment (PPE), when appropriate.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Some require employees to fill in “safe at work” forms at the beginning of their day to survey their current temperature and possible COVID-19 exposure.

Different states have different rules, but companies are paying attention to what the CDC says. Do your part and follow the guidelines, even if you’re not at work. It’s worth the practice.

Be open and respectful of others

Everyone should be respectful. Be aware of differences. We all have different comfort levels and it’s difficult to know exactly how your co-workers are feeling during this time of transition.

The best thing you can do is be conscientious. Be aware of what you are doing on the jobsite and what you are doing outside of work. Pay attention to others and listen to their concerns.

If others aren’t respecting your concerns, be open about it. Recruiters have a contact with the client, so they can address a contractor’s worries. Many companies also have a hotline for all safety issues including coronavirus.

Things will not go back to normal overnight. But we’ve crossed a threshold. You’ll need to be conscientious of others, follow precautions and take care of yourself.

If you’re ready to get back to work, contact Aerotek today.