Return to work | 'Reluctant returners': Managing absence post-lockdown

The prospect of returning to the workplace following lockdown will no doubt be met by staff with mixed responses. 

While some employees may be raring to return, others are likely to face a range of barriers: from medical issues, fears for loved ones and workplace safety concerns, to travel-related and childcare obstacles. 

Normal absence management policies are unlikely to be suitable in the context of Covid-19.  So HR professionals need to think carefully about how to adjust those internal processes to fit the unusual nature of the post-lockdown return.  They also need to be ready to respond to, and where necessary accommodate, individual employee’ circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

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