Now that it’s time to start bringing back portions of your workforce, there needs to be a few steps to start planning ahead. The Bank of England has predicted a V shaped recovery and now many businesses are looking to return their staff safely back into the workforce. If you’re gearing up to bring the marketing team back together, there are a few steps to keep in mind to make it as smooth as possible.
6 steps to reuniting a furloughed marketing team
While there are many moving parts to think about when it comes to reuniting a furloughed marketing team, here are some easy tips to keep things going and moving forward.
- Communicate plans for the future
The last thing that you need right now is doubt in anyone’s mind. If you’re ready to have the marketing team back together, talk to them about how the process is going to work and reassure them of how and when it will be happening. Communication is key, dare I say even moreso for a Marketing Team?
- Set a concrete date for return
Don’t reach out to anyone on your marketing team until you have a date set and ready for return. Once they get word that a return date is happening, you need to have one to give them for planning purposes.
- Let communication happen
As long as communication is happening in a respectful way, let your teammates speak their mind. They might have frustrations that they feel need to be heard and to get back to working quicker, they need to be heard. You will need to manage this in a thoughtful manner and create solutions.
- Get all paperwork in order
Being furloughed and having them come back to work means that there will need to be some paperwork done. Have all the paperwork ready to be completed as fast as possible so it’s much less painful of a process.
- Update them the marketing team on any changes that have occurred
Since there have been some changes since they were last there, update them as quickly as possible on what they need to be aware of. This is as simple as showing them any new policies and procedures as well as introducing them to new people that might be part of the team.
Again, give them time to catch up so they fit back in comfortably.
- Address any fears or concerns that they might have
Even though you might not have a crystal ball, you should still be able to address any concerns that they might have regarding another potential furlough. Never tell them that it won’t happen but instead help them prepare for it just in case it does happen again.
Since marketing is such an integral part of the workforce, it’s important to find fluidity and flow quickly to have everyone back working together.
With these simple tips listed above, you might be able to welcome back your furloughed marketing team with open arms and have them ready to get back to work.