Return to the Workspace with a Plan
Across the country, desk calendars are being updated and office plants revived as workers head back into the workplace after more than a year away. As remote work winds down for many organizations, there are several areas to consider to ensure a smooth transition and help mitigate employee concerns.
To start, managers should be transparent about safety efforts. Here are some changes that will help ease employee concerns:
- Provide employees with personal protective equipment — masks, gloves and hand sanitizer
- Implement health screening procedures that include temperature checks
- Consider adding sanitization stations so employees can wipe down shared surfaces
- Encourage frequent hand washing
- Provide information on detailed cleaning procedures for the office and all equipment
- Use furniture and building materials that are easily sanitized
In addition, employers need to think about designing safe workplaces. Consider that:
- It is important to embrace multi-use spaces that can support diverse activities. Furnishings need to be portable to allow spaces to expand and contract as needed.
- Workspaces need to be equipped for both the physical and digital work environments.
- Striking a balance in your workspace that fosters interaction while maintaining social distancing will be key to employee comfort.
Employers should consider how many employees will be returning and if the company should bring the people back in batches or allow some employees to remain at home indefinitely. Consider the following questions:
- Do specific employees need to perform their work in the office?
- To what extent does an employee need to collaborate with others?
- Consider how an employee is feeling about returning to work.
- Are there employees that are feeling disconnected? Would returning to work improve their productivity?
- Should certain teams be in the office on the same days for in-person meetings and collaboration?
- What types of meetings are best held in person?
- Will there be days when all employees can work from home, such as Mondays or Fridays?
Software is available that allows employees to book their desk space in advance, enabling companies to control how many people are in the office at one time. The following link is just one of many available: https://spaceiq.com/blog/office-hoteling-best-practices/.
Creating a reopening strategy can feel daunting. However, with proactive communication, thoughtful workplace design and an understanding of organizational capabilities, companies can confidently navigate any potential challenges. During the past 18 months, PPR has been a strategic partner to our clients, helping them hurdle initial pandemic concerns, and we continue to be a resource to our clients as they reopen their workplaces.
It’s our passion. It’s our purpose.
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