Making Decisions

On top of everything that everyone has been through over the last year plus and as we enter this next covid phase of return to physical work spaces (for some) people are making decisions. And it’s a very challenging time to make decisions. Let me explain.

We’ve been living in and through a pandemic. We’ve lost loved ones. We’ve kept working and kept living and kept parenting all at home (at least for many people.) We are tired. Our sense of resiliency is just about empty. And, now we are shifting again as covid cases decline, as more people get the vaccine and as workplaces ask/require people to physically return to the “office.” And, for those who have been “at work” the whole time the space will soon feel quite different.

People are taking stock as this question/requirment is posed. As the workplace “fills” up. Do I want to go back? Or, am I willing to go back? Do I want to keep working in this space? These along with many other “how do I feel about my job” considerations.

According to a report from Blumberg Businessweek by Arianne Cohen quoting Anthony Klotz, associate professor at Texas A&M, who studies why and how people leave their jobs, “the great resignation is coming.” People are thinking about all aspects of their job and deciding whether to go back to the the office or not or to keep working at the office. Klotz believes as the current state of work becomes more certain, then people will make decisions about returning, resigning, finding another job – you name it.

At the same time, according to Klotz, people are “really bad at predicting how they will feel about something” and, thus, decision making right now, before one has actually “returned” to the office or until the work force returns to the office is even more challenging. Klotz suggests you put off this decision and “try” going back to work. Try working in a now “full” space. Learn if the reality actually matches how you thought you would feel about it.

This seems like good advice. Don’t make the decision based on how you think you will feel; instead, give it a try and then you’ll know how you feel. Then you can more clearly make an informed decision based on your actual experience. And, if you want help thinking through this “big” decision then the ombuds office can be a great sounding board for you. It’s a confidential space to share concerns, ideas and explore options. Get support to help you think through your situation.

Go Ombuds !