Navigating the Challenges of Returning to the Office after COVID-19 Restrictions: Insights from a Recent Graduate’s Experience

Lucy Holden faced challenges when entering an office for the first time after Covid-19 restrictions. Lockdowns forced her to study and work exclusively online, isolating her from the real-life experience of office interaction. Ireland’s top companies are now providing new training for young recruits and upskilling their managers. Companies are spending more on social events to help young recruits to settle in after the pandemic. Many young recruits lack interpersonal communication skills, which include holding eye contact, giving a firm handshake, and expressing themselves. Office budgets are being devoted to team building, training, and gathering teams for dinner. Reskilling and upskilling their managers may help with coaching new recruits and alleviate staff stress. Companies like Deloitte and KPMG are laying on new training methods for staff to cope with the new normal of working. For Lucy Holden, working in the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland and being in an office five days a week has made her more productive.