Many countries and states in the U.S. have begun to relax restrictions due to the COVID-19 global epidemic. Although many aspects of daily life will return to normal, employers and employees continue to be troubled by the idea of how office space will change after the pandemic and of workers returning to work and sharing open-floor or shared workspaces.
This crisis was difficult, dangerous, and worrisome for everyone. It’s been a game-changer for companies looking to rent office space. You must consider the possibility of another outbreak in your business. This means that you need to plan for social distancing, contract traceability, and strict safety standards if your employees are allowed back to the workplace.
Virtual Focus
After COVID-19, it’s easy to envision a completely virtual office. Companies across all industries have realized the benefits of working remotely as they are forced to adopt more flexible and adaptable work environments.
Both employees and managers have experienced a rapid and unexpected shift to work remotely. However, with constantly changing circumstances and uncertainty about future working situations, it is important to remain vigilant and forward-thinking to ensure your company’s continued success. Now is the right time to invest in virtual technologies for keeping your team connected, communicating, and performing at a high standard.
Make A Rotating Schedule
If you are going to allow your employees to return to an office environment, you need to consider not only the social distancing protocols but also the possibility of spreading contagions and diseases within the office.
Larger offices are often used by companies to house multiple employees at different workstations. These seating arrangements can become problematic in the event of a global pandemic. You might consider shifting employees to a work-from-home schedule and rotating how many days each employee spends at a shared office each week. This will not only reduce exposure but also create a safe and comfortable work environment that will make your employees feel safer, more comfortable, and less concerned about their safety and health.
Research also shows that remote work is more productive than mandatory in-office workers. A 2019 study found that remote workers work an average of 1.4 extra working days per month than their in-office counterparts. They also spend 27 minutes a day idle (in addition to lunch breaks) as compared to the 37 minutes it takes for in-office workers.
Flexibility Is Key
It is obvious that companies that were already capable of providing remote work environments had an advantage during the quarantine. This means that whether you are looking to move to a new office or redesign your work environment, you should consider the possibility of not having all your employees available at all times. If you are thinking of moving, there are many modern, sleek office spaces that can provide flexible and reliable working environments.
You can make changes at any time, whether it is infrastructure or improving the spacing between workstations.
Whatever your solution may be, you must ensure the safety and well-being of your employees. It is not a wise decision to expose them to unsafe conditions at work. Before you give the “all-clear”, make sure that your employees feel secure, protected, and contained in a physical work environment.
Safety First
The modern office space will change after the pandemic and must adapt to COVID-19. It is important to cover the basics and limit the number of people in an office. Housekeeping is another important factor. Many offices have a contract with the property owner for housekeeping to be performed once or twice per week. An increase in the frequency of housekeeping visits will not only help to sanitize your office space but also give employees greater peace of mind during workdays. Instead of having housekeepers come on weekends or nights, consider having common surfaces such as bathrooms and door handles cleaned regularly during the workday. Progressive companies should also consider investing in advanced cleaning products for their employees.
Lean Into Technology
You can provide your team with a wide range of technology solutions, including VoIP solutions to route calls to remote workers and video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams. This will keep them agile, no matter where they are located.
You’ll need to reconsider how your workplace technology is used outside of the virtual world. It’s essential to look at the basics of a workspace as social distancing methods change. When people work in shared workspaces or rotate shifts, it is important to consider how many people touch and use surfaces such as keyboards, keyboards, and printers. It may be time to offer workers a stipend so they can purchase the equipment at home that they can bring to work. This will help to reduce exposure to the often dirty equipment in offices.
How office space will change after a pandemic depends on how companies will adapt, ultimately. Companies around the globe are moving to flexible or remote working environments quickly. However, it is important to recognize the growing pains and acknowledge that employees will always place their happiness at work on their ability to feel safe. While it remains to be determined if 100% remote work is a viable option in the modern workplace, it will pay dividends for your company in the future. Contact us here at Signature Workspace for more information today!