Two Weeks Of Facing The New Normal - Back To Work

It’s been two weeks since I started reporting back to work on our site, hence, I also started facing the new normal. I was too excited to work in our office as I already feel bored working from home. Amidst the risk, I was glad to report on site.

PHYSICAL CHECK-UP

As a returning employee, we are required to get a clearance from the airport clinic before proceeding to work on site. So as I arrived on site, I immediately went to the clinic to undergo a physical check-up. The check-up went well and after waiting for 30 minutes, our safety officer informed me that I am cleared to go to our office.

MISSING THE OFFICE ATMOSPHERE

While walking on the airport premises, I was excited to arrive in our office. As we went inside together with other returning employees, our colleagues welcomed us and we’re both happy to see each other.

I immediately went to my table and I couldn’t help but smile from ears to ears. I miss my table! I miss our office and my colleagues.

_{My messy table 😁}

TRANSPORTATION

Because I had a trauma with driving a motorcycle which also caused me to be afraid even riding a bicycle, I had no other option but to commute and ride a jeepney going to and from our site. Our company also stopped renting an employees’ shuttle when the Enhanced Community Quarantine was lifted.

From a maximum capacity of 17 passengers including the passenger seat, it went to a limit of only 9 passengers. And from a minimum of P8.00 fare per passenger, it became P11.00. I believe that the fare increase is fair enough and I don’t have any objection with that as long as the normal citizens still have public transportation.

Going to our site was convenient because many jeepneys still pass outside our compound. However, I faced a real struggle going home. There are still many jeepneys, but it’s already full when it passes on the jeepney stop that I used to be waiting. There are lots of passengers like me that are also waiting for jeepneys because it’s where the largest economic zone in the province is located. So, what I always do is that I would walk 1 to 2 kilometers to where the jeepneys turn and start their route.

It may make me feel tired, but when I think that I prefer going to our site rather than work from home, it makes me become patient and understand the situation rather than complain.

FOOD

On my first day of returning to the office, I didn’t bother to pack some foods as I thought that there is still any open food stall at the airport. But when it’s already lunchtime, I realized that I tend to ignore thinking about important things like this one. Good thing that there’s one canteen that is still open and I was able to buy food for my lunch.

In the next days, I made sure to prepare my lunch box and I also bought some instant goods with me in case I am not able to prepare my food.

AIRPORT PREMISES

_{Terminal 1 Pre-departure Area}

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_{Terminal 1 Arrival Area}

Before the resumption of operations at Mactan-Cebu International Airport last June 6, the airport was still quiet and few military personnel and airport staff are only seen inside the premises. As an employee, we are only allowed to pass one entrance and exit doors because other staff entrances were still temporarily closed. Thus, we have to pass through longer hallways before we get inside our office. After office hours, I always make sure that I would be out of the office at the exact time so that I have my colleagues as companions in passing the dark hallways.

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_{Terminal 1 Check-in Area}

Before the pandemic, I would just stay in the office until 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM as I also treated it as my 2nd home. I didn’t mind staying in the office all alone and going home late at night. But now, I have to make sure that my things are arranged and my table is clean before 5:30 PM. I couldn’t stay late because I’m afraid to pass through the dark hallways alone and the transportation will be more difficult during late night because of the curfew.

For two weeks, I only stayed in our office in Terminal 1 and I didn’t roam around Terminal 2 yet. I also have lots of works to do and my subordinates who are supposed to be working in Terminal 2 are still working from home. If I have time to roam around Terminal 2, I might create a vlog and tour you around.

_{Terminal 1 Terrace (where offices are located)}

CONCLUSION

I had fun working from home for two months. But if I were to choose, I would prefer working in the office because the vital part of my work is communication in which some discussions are difficult when done through phone. I’ve also noticed that I can easily get my assignment done when I personally clarify the tasks that my boss wants me to do especially that we are handling complicated data. Our team is also able to unite having exchanged ideas and raise concerns.

I am also happy because I finally feel being a normal employee again. I haven't received any phone calls and messages telling me to do urgent tasks during weekends, holidays, and late nights for two weeks, hence, I finally feel that my holiday and day off are respected again. Thus, I can do my hobbies and I am able to balance my work and life AGAIN.

In conclusion, working from home isn’t for all. Some tasks can be done at home but it is easier when done on site where communication is vital and supervising the team that works in the site is necessary.

I do love working from home, but in my line of work, it isn’t convenient for me. So facing the new normal amidst the risk is something that I should deal with every day.

Thanks for reading and always keep yourself safe! 😊

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