July 19th marked the start of a gradual return to the office for many. Some hope to return full time to the social and collaborative office environment, while others hope to maintain the productivity and work-life-balance benefits of working from home.
Over the upcoming weeks, we'll be running a series of blog posts - from Arun Aggarwal (Lloyds Banking Group), Jack Barrett (PwC) and Will Banks (Bank of England) - where they will share their perspectives on how the gradual move to hybrid working has affected their wellbeing.
Arun Aggarwal – Fintech and Partnerships Lead, Lloyds Banking Group
As someone who had the benefit of going into the office for six months before the pandemic hit, the working from home policy was particularly difficult to manage, especially as I moved back home with my parents. At that time, the lack of social activities, disconnection from a common purpose and the long hours I found myself working meant that I often felt miserable and longing for the day where I could again be around colleagues. With hindsight, that time was actually really valuable. Although not consciously I, like many others, reset my priorities and took a breather to do nothing and enjoy it. The additional time with family was also treasured, and gave me a new appreciation of them.
Moving back to London, my expectations were to come into the office every day and resume my previously hectic lifestyle of meeting people, socialising, and taking advantage of the City. Although anyone who knows me knows that I’m still extremely busy, I was quite surprised to find that I’ve become a lot more considered about my way of working, and where I want to spend my time. Whilst I go into the office often, I also enjoy the days that I work from home, and am able to cook and clean in my lunchtime.
The biggest positive for me are the regular face to face interactions with people now. My team is part of the Lloyds Banking Group Future Ways of Working experiment, meaning that we go in once a week to engage in collaborative activities and trial methods of working in a hybrid manner. The previous lack of a shared experience made it hard for me to reconcile the work that I was doing, but being able to work alongside people now has helped me understand the value that I’m bringing to the organisation.
For me, being able to go into the office has helped manage my stress levels and the expectations I have of myself. On those days I do go in, I find it easier to switch off after work and enjoy a better work/life balance.
Tips & Tricks
- Organise to see friends and meet new people on the days that you head into the office.
- Try and switch off from Teams, Zoom, or email when you’re in the office and be present.
- Don’t overstretch yourself by going into the office, and then working longer hours at home. Flexible working is meant to work for you .
Resources
Find out more about the Thriving From The Start Network.
Sign up to the Thriving From The Start Network Newsletter.
Find out about how you can become a member of the City Mental Health Alliance.
Watch a previous event from the Thriving From The Start Network.