Our working lives have changed forever in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, whether we like it or not. What we once thought was a minor issue that would blow over in a matter of weeks, is now a reality that we will carry with us for years. Despite this seemingly bleak state of affairs, workplaces have all found innovative ways to react to COVID-19.
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Many teams operated remotely for the first time, getting to grips with the ins and outs of doing their job from the kitchen table! Others who couldn’t work from home quickly implemented coronavirus safety measures in the workplace. Although COVID-19 has been tough on business, the resourcefulness of colleagues around the world has been a refreshing reminder of all we can do when we work together.
If you run a business and have been operating remotely since early 2020, you might be nervous about reopening your office. Read on to find out the essentials you need for a covid-safe office!
Company-wide mask rules
This time last year, none of us could have imagined that wearing a mask would be part of our daily lives – yet here we are, diligently wearing our masks in order to take care of our fellow human beings. None of us particularly like wearing masks, but in line with scientific advice from around the world, wearing this simple piece of cloth over our faces can reduce your chance of transmitting coronavirus. If you are unsure about the science behind masks, you can read more on the subject here.
Alongside other coronavirus workplace safety measures, wearing masks should be par for the course. All employees and visitors should be given a company-branded mask that they must wear when social distancing isn’t possible. While this isn’t an ideal scenario, it is our reality for now. Wearing masks can help save lives, and it is essential that your business plays its part in that.
Extra cleaning staff
All offices and workplaces have cleaning staff who keep the place hygienic, clean and tidy. This was part of daily office life even before the pandemic. Nevertheless, keeping the place completely spotless is a vital part of opening a coronavirus-safe office. This will mean investing in extra cleaning staff who are responsible for:
- regular surface-cleaning, including desks and break room tables;
- bathroom sanitizing;
- cleaning touch points such as door handles and elevator buttons.
While this might put a dent in your company’s budget, an outbreak of coronavirus in the office will cost more in both financial and human value.
Rearranged desks
In recent years, most office spaces have arranged their desks in an open-plan style that encourages colleague collaboration. This has encouraged a shift away from cubicle-style offices that separate employees into mini-offices. Nevertheless, many offices are returning to a cubicle-style format in the wake of the pandemic. Employees must have a personal space in which to work that does not put them at risk.
This can be achieved by rearranging desks for social distancing, or even by placing perspex screens between personal desks in an open-plan office. Whichever way your business chooses to rearrange the space, the focus must remain on coronavirus safety above all else. Once again, this can put a dent in productivity levels in the office, but this may be a necessary evil for the time being.
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