Changes To The Workplace After COVID-19

At Rightsize Facility, we want to make sure that our client’s offices are well-equipped to handle the changes to the workplace after COVID-19. We believe that there are three changes that organizations can utilize to properly reshape their workplace: redesign, retrofit and reconfigure.  

• Redesign – Redesigning is going to be one of the biggest changes to the workplace after COVID-19. Offices that are extremely open with employees in close quarters with one another will need to be redesigned to provide workers with enough space and distance to stay safe and prevent the spread of germs.  

• Retrofit – Retrofitting involves adding purposeful pieces or accessories to existing furniture. Innovative accessories for the post-COVID office can include screens and panels added to desk spaces to provide extra protection and distance as well storage space for sanitization supplies.
   
• Reconfigure – Reconfiguring an office is no easy task, but it is one of the most important changes to the workplace after COVID-19 that organizations can embrace. By reconfiguring the workspace, offices can ensure that social distancing measures are met with the relocation of furniture and installation of new protective pieces.  

 By redesigning, retrofitting, and reconfiguring the existing workplace, offices can be effectively reshaped to provide wellness, safety and productivity to employees during these troubling times. Although there will also be some unexpected changes to the workplaces after COVID-19, organizations can take a more active approach by implementing these positive changes.  

The reopening of the workplace after COVID-19 is going to be gradual and slow with a lot of moving parts and changes. Listed below are some of the short-term changes to the workplace after COVID-19 that can be expected: 

• Frequent Cleaning – In order to limit the spread of germs of viruses in the office, spaces and surfaces will need to be cleaned and sterilized much more frequently than before. Because of this, it is important that office furniture can be cleaned, sanitized, bleached, sterilized and disinfected as often as possible.
   
• Traffic Patterns – Enforcing traffic patterns in open areas is a simple way to minimize personal interactions. These patterns can be enforced with directional signage posted throughout the office, which will ensure that individuals do not come into too close contact with one another. 

• Sanitization Materials – Sanitization is currently at a premium, as it provides people will a sense of safety and security. By implementing touch free sanitization devices, disinfectant wipes and masks, employees will be comforted that their office space provides them with the means to protect themselves whenever they see fit.
   
• Employee Screening – It is possible at any time that someone may need to be screened in order to ensure that they are healthy and not spreading a virus to their coworkers. Certain offices may need to implement screening stations for employees to check their temperate to create a sense of safety in the workplace.
   
• Increased Remote Work – One of the major changes to the workplace after COVID-19 will be a decrease in employees in the office. As people get comfortable working from home, less people will want to go to the office to accomplish their tasks; however, it is important to remember that this is a short-term effect that could change at any minute.

In addition to short term changes to the workplace after COVID-19, there will be long term changes to the workplace after COVID-19. These changes are harder to predict, but there are some expected changes to affect the workplace long-term, some of which include: 

• Remodeling – While remodeling an entire office cannot be done easily by many organizations, a significant amount of businesses will choose to change the architectural design of their workspace in order to providing employees with protection and social distance from their coworkers. 

• Innovative Technology – Innovative technology is being created to increase safety and protection, and these pieces can easily be installed in the workplace. Some of these pieces include touch free fixtures, lighting that kills bacteria, acoustic sound panels for virtual meeting, motion sensors, and more.  

• More Space Per Worker – Currently, the average employee in an office has around 150 square feet for their personal workspace. After COVID-19, it is suggested that each worker have at least 225 to 250 square feet allotted for their individual space in order to keep workers at a safe distance from one another. 

• Changing Preferred Finishes – Cleanliness will always be extremely important, even long after COVID-19. Because of this, it can be extremely beneficial for offices to shift the materials and finishes to include that which is easily sanitized like solid surfaces, bleach-cleanable fabrics, antimicrobial wall finishes and non-porous materials. 

• Scaling Back Open Workspaces – Although the free flowing and open workspace has been leading in popularity in offices for the collaborative environment that it encourages, it is quite possible that the workplace may return to favor cubicles and private offices in order to provide safety and privacy to concerned employees. 

Businesses and companies are constantly changing. Sometimes these changes are brought on by internal factors, and sometimes these changes are brought on by completely unexpected external factors, like the anticipated changes to the workplace after COVID-19.   

By planning for how your office might reopen now, changes to the workplace after COVID-19 can be handled safely and properly. Organizations currently need to prepare and develop plans with the utmost detail, especially in the areas of facility readiness and reconfiguration.

Facility readiness involves a comprehensive assessment of office’s building in order to prepare for reentry. If your organization is leasing office space, open communication with property owners or managers is essential to ensure that you can enact your back-to-work plan safely and effectively.  

Reconfiguration also requires extensive and immediate planning. Because social distancing recommendations and guidelines will most likely be shifted gradually, it is important to plan any safety efforts that involve changing the physical environment of the office.