All employees are eager to get back to the office. In a JLL survey of more than 2,000 employees worldwide, three out four employees want to go back to work. Only one out four wish to remain at home. PwC’s research indicates that employers are expecting to be able bring back half of their employees by 2023.
Why and how things happen is not always easy to understand. The work environment is constantly changing. How you prepare will impact how employees feel upon their return. You can also be better prepared for future challenges.
101 Hazard Assessments
Safety is paramount. We know that COVID-19 is highly contagious, spreads by air and can be dangerous when in close contact. Here’s what we learned after the outbreak. You should conduct a risk analysis before returning employees to their work environment. You can identify the areas and conditions which could lead to an increase in your exposure. There are a few things to keep in mind when inspecting a work environment:
Where do people have the most contact with each other? Hotspots can include break rooms, delivery areas, and reception spaces. By scheduling break areas and rooms, you can control the spread of diseases. You can also limit foot traffic or mandate the use of masks and personal protective equipment.
What are the most touchy areas? What are the areas that can be most easily touched? Prioritize cleaning and disinfecting these areas.
What can be done to improve ventilation? Reduce contaminants by opening windows and doors during good weather and using fans. By increasing airflow and decreasing occupancy, you can clean and clear the air.
Assessing Employee Readiness
Your employees need to be supportive of the plan. Even the best laid plans can fail if your employees do not support them. Remember that everyone has been affected by the pandemic differently. Returning to work requires empathy, clear communication, and a focus on the well-being of employees.
It may be difficult for your workers to return to work because they are trying to balance their caregiving duties with their job. Some workers are ready to go. You won’t know where your employees are until you have a meeting with them. It is important to engage your employees by building trust. Edelman found recently that 86% workers do not believe that their leaders are capable of providing solid leadership to help plans get back on track.
Assessing employee readiness is crucial before deciding which employees should return to work first, and which should work remotely. You can use this information to decide whether you want to implement a phased or staggered approach. This communication strategy must be continued even after you return to your job. By explaining new policies and sharing the future vision of your organization, you can help everyone adjust.
Furniture can also be used for preparation.
Renting furniture is another smart way to create a workspace for tomorrow. During the pandemic, many businesses realized the importance of agility. Those who could pivot quickly were the ones that were most successful at responding quickly and effectively. It is important to have an agile mindset in order to prepare for the future of your workplace and ensure your business’s long-term success.
PwC conducted a survey of 87% executives in November 2020. They intend to improve their real estate footprint. Many employers are consolidating and expanding their offices, as well as opening satellite ones. Remote work is only successful if these changes are made.
Smart Tech Integration
Open up with confidence using data and technology. Adopting touchless technologies can reduce the risk of COVID spread. Accelerating digitization will make businesses more agile. You’ll be able react quickly to any future disruptions. Of course, the more data you have, the better.
Data is the key to business success at all levels. It enables decision makers to respond faster to changing situations. It can be used to track down contacts and assess risk. 4SITE sensors allow employers to collect valuable data that can be used to make decisions.
It simplifies the contact trace and gives decision makers a framework to work with. Sensors enable leaders to evaluate the blueprint of the workspace and make decisions regarding its best use.
Sanitization, COVID policies and health checks
The employer must have a plan to ensure that everyone feels safe and confident. A hazard analysis should be done. You will be able to identify areas with high traffic that need frequent disinfection. Plan regular cleanings and decide on your company’s personal protective equipment policy. How employees should handle symptoms.
Health checks are another consideration. Some businesses check their visitors and employees before they enter the office for symptoms and fever. Some businesses allow virtual health assessments. It is important that you develop people-first strategies, no matter how many steps your company takes to ensure workers are safe upon their return.
Many people want to return to work. What options do you have to make this happen? Start by following federal, state and locally-established guidelines. Adopting smart strategies such as integrating technology can facilitate the process.
This post was written by Tara Kintz. Tara is a director at Signature Workspace which is a Tampa cowork space. Signature Workspace, owned and operated by Cantor Fund Management, offers services and amenities such as private offices, flex space, co-working space, virtual offices, meeting/conference rooms, and more.