As governors slowly start to install plans to open up their states again, you should be doing the same with returning back to your office. Although the virus is being contained, our job when we go back into the world is to keep it that way and do our part to stay safe and prevent the further spread of germs. Being back in the office and seeing your co-workers again can be exciting, but we can’t let that deter us from safe practices. As an employer, there are several things you can do to keep the office and its occupants safe in their return and make the transition as smooth as possible.
Transparency
The biggest key to make this transition back as smooth as possible is being transparent with everybody. We have all been going through a rough time and are probably a little shaken up. Being 100% transparent with all the staff about the company’s position and operations moving forward should be the first information that is shared. Not doing so can result in mistrust around the building and the possibility of misinformation being shared about the company. With everybody on the same page, you can start to move forward as a company again together.
Work Area Changes
The most obvious change that needs to happen is the changes in work stations, seating, and general gathering areas. Social distancing has been stressed through this whole epidemic and it’s important to continue these practices in the office as much as possible. In the areas of your office that have open areas and lounging areas, try to spread seating out. Try your best to still keep these areas comfortable but socially distant. If your office has cubicles and offices, stress the importance to your employees of trying to stay within these areas to prevent intermingling and the possible spread of germs. If you have an open floor plan in your office, consider installing some space division. Placing screens and dividers between work areas and seating areas will help prevent the spread of germs and increase your probability of staying safe. If you don’t like the idea of big dividers throughout your office, try some panel toppers. Placing these on desks and work areas will keep employees protected and separated without having to place screens in the middle of your floors and surfaces. Most of the work day will be spent in a chair or some kind of seat. Invest in some seating that is easy to sanitize and is resistant to the everyday rigor of life. Filling your office with some clean seating allows your office to be easily disinfected and kept up with.
Sanitation of the Office
Killing germs is equally as important as stopping the spread of them. As you’re incorporating ways to stop the spread the germs around your office, make sure to invest in extra ways to sanitize the office. Stress this importance to both your custodial staff if you have one and your employees. We have been in this together from the start so don’t dump this responsibility on just those who are cleaning. Leave sanitation materials around the office for everybody to clean their area that they were working at. Consider placing sanitation stations around the office for employees to use as they’re walking around. These will be most effective in high traffic areas to allow quick and easy killing of germs on your hands. After following these procedures as best as possible through the day, do a full sweep after the work day to sanitize every surface and chair that was worked at to be sure that all germs have been dealt with as best as possible.
Example of Space Division
Example of Panel Toppers
Example of Sanitation Station
Staggered Integration
Change doesn’t happen overnight. Just because we go from quarantine one day to being released into the world the next, doesn’t mean the virus has disappeared. Consider bringing the staff back in small groups. Assign days for different employees to come back to the office and work. You have a system to work remotely in place already, continue to use that. Keep groups of employees working remotely as you continue to slowly integrate more and more coming into the office. Doing so will help prevent the further spread of germs. Create a rotating schedule for employees to work both in the office and remotely until you can get back into the full swing of things with no concerns at all.
Common Sense
In the end, we just need to be smart with what we do and be mindful of what our actions may cause. Doing the bare necessities of constantly washing your hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping our distance can go a very long way in fighting this pandemic and returning to normal. Enjoy being back in our working lives and being able to live outside of the house but don’t do anything to jeopardize that freedom forcing us to go back inside. Be smart and be safe.
