LOUISVILLE, Ky. — More than a year after the start of the pandemic, Kentucky businesses are coming up with plans to get workers back into the office.

Diane Walker, a customer service representative with Delta Dental Kentucky, said the change to working from home was drastic.

"Everything changed for the work environment at home, everything," Walker said.

In this time of uncertainty, one thing is for sure – the workplace of the future is being reinvented.

"One minute you’re working and everything’s normal, you’re coming in, you’re seeing your work family on a daily and then in the next instant you are sent home," Walker said.

After a year of working remotely due to COVID-19, the thought of returning to normalcy seemed out of reach for Walker.

"It was OK in the beginning but after awhile two months, three months, that’s when you started feeling a little awkward, scared, was your business going to close down."

While some employees aren’t ready to give up their remote work setups because of health concerns or better work-family balance, others like Walker who live alone, are thrilled to eventually get back in the office.

"Just that simple hello, good morning means so much and to not have that every morning and to see those faces you almost feel like you’ve been put in a prison," Walker said.

As more Kentuckians get vaccinated against COVID-19, business leaders and office managers are looking ahead toward transitioning back to the office.

Out of 76 employees, around 70% are continuing to work from home as the organization reopens their workplace.

Angie Zuvon Nenni, Delta Dental's vice president and chief administrative officer, said she misses the social aspect of working in the office.

"I miss just the extra hellos or stop and saying how are the kids?"

While the timeline on their post-pandemic workplaces is still hazy, Nenni said a hybrid work model is increasingly looking suitable for her company that provides insurance to over 750,000 Kentuckians.

"Talking to the managers who are getting with their employees to determine what do they like? What works best for them and the job matters," Nenni explained.

And with that in mind, company leaders are adjusting their strategies to accommodate their staff.

"Now what we found is it worked so good we’re going to leave the equipment at home so it will be apart of our new business continuity plan," Nenni said.

At the end of the day, it's more than just a job for dedicated employees like Walker.

"It makes you feel fabulous, like you’ve been brought back to life," Walker said.

We reached out to other major employers like Frost Brown Todd Attorneys and Humana. Both say they are still evaluating when and how to bring more workers back into their offices.