Given the uncertainty surrounding government guidance on returning to the office, it’s become critical to keep on top of regulations. Currently, any open office must be Covid-secure – a tightrope for business owners prioritising the health and safety of their workers while trying to keep their businesses afloat. For now, most of our clients are keen to remobilise their workplace while ensuring their employees are safe – addressing future real estate needs is not yet on their radar. And as we start to adapt our workplaces to address these immediate issues, it’s paramount that we consider three things.
Safety First
Start by reviewing your space to highlight the risk areas. We’re currently working with tenants and landlords to find immediate solutions for high-touch items, installing easy-to-switch items (from motion-activated doors to sensor-driven toilets) and sourcing furniture additions such as Perspex shields, desk dividers and sanitation stations.
We’re also providing clients with desk utilisation plans to reflect government guidelines and helping define safe circulation systems around the office through additional wayfinding and finishes. Air systems should be assessed and we provide recommendations to reduce the risk of virus transmission. We can also install air-quality monitoring systems as well as temperature sensors and headcount technology to give you transparency and control of your environment and population.
Keep it flexible
With current procedures and policies subject to change at any time, it’s crucial to anticipate further adjustments. Now is the time to spend money wisely as there will be further adjustments to what is ‘normal’ over the next 12 months. As restrictions ease again in future, you will want to allow more people to return to the office with confidence. The sweet spot comes in identifying the perfect ratio of home workers to office workers that will allow both business and individuals to thrive, freeing you to look beyond your immediate response and work out what the future of work looks like for your team.
We’re working with our clients to establish short, mid and long-term options that impact team wellbeing and output, from optimising floorplates to allow greater density of staff to assist with the redesign of office space. And should you find that your current office is no longer appropriate for your business, we are uniquely placed to help find alternative Covid-secure premises with flexible leasing terms.
prioritise human sentiment
At all times, your employees should be confident that you are doing all you can to protect their health. We work with our clients not just by delivering safe protocol and practical space solutions but also by engaging with their people. We help to analyse job functions to establish who needs to be in the office and when.
Through employee surveys, home-working assessments and interviews we develop a deep understanding of the outcome they need and help you translate that into tailor-made best practice. We also provide ergonomic furniture for home offices where it’s necessary, ensuring that every employee is considered and catered for, wherever they are working from.
Whatever your needs, we’re here to help support with change management and our Hybrid Working playbook provides clear guidelines and understanding to help you negotiate any future uncertainty.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Our Hybrid Working October report delves into how you can redefine your workplace, reduce your real estate footprint and reinvest in areas of your business that support your new ways of working.
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