Working in the office cannot be the same as it was before, and we’ve broken down how to create a safer office in just 6 easy-to-follow steps.
1. Reevaluate your office
As we all know, things just aren’t the same. Your current office set up may have been sitting too close together without adequate room for social distancing. Maybe your reception desk lacks an acrylic divider to keep both your employee and your guests safe. Carefully evaluate all aspects of your office to ensure that you, your employees, and your customers are feeling comfortable in this new normal.
2. Update workspaces
This does not need to be the death of open-office setups. It’s just time to be creative. And don’t they say that trends repeat every couple of decades? Well, dividers are back and sure to stay for the foreseeable future. Does this seem daunting? Fear not! CBI Group is here to help. We’ve got designers who are prepared to help your business design a new office space that caters to your needs.
3. Guide traffic flow
Though their desks may be perfectly distanced, people are going to need to get up at some point. When you consider where people will walk the most often--between desks, to the restrooms, and the breakroom, consider how to prevent bottlenecking. You may want to consider having one-way hallways to avoid possible contact with others.
4.Establish etiquette
It’s time to think back to when you first were told to cover your sneeze or wash your hands in the bathroom. In normal life and especially during a pandemic, covering your coughs, washing your hands, and wearing a face mask are some of the best ways to stay safer. An important aspect of this is to make hand sanitizing stations available at your workplace so there’s no excuse not to get rid of germs.
5. Assign a prevention leader
Any new change needs someone to execute it. In order to make sure that everyone on your team understands what the new norm will look like in your office, identify someone who can share that message clearly and with compassion. They will be in charge of making sure that everyone is on the same page and when in the office, helping remind people of the new expectations. A great person for this role is often someone in Human Resources.
6. Stagger scheduling
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of illness and maintain social distancing, even in smaller workspaces, is to stagger when employees are in the office and when they are working remotely. Fewer people in the office each day means less germs. It may not always have to be like this, but for now, it is best to keep distance where you can.
During unprecedented times, we often have to make decisions we never imagined. However, we hope that with the help of these 6 steps, your transition back to the office will be a smooth one!
