We can confidently say this is a new era for the workplace. Covid-19 has forced a radical rethink about the purpose of the office and its role in reaffirming company culture. Enlightened property directors are resisting knee-jerk responses to predictions that Covid spells the demise of the office including the wholesale migration to home-working. Instead, they are challenging plans to dramatically downsize the workplace and corporate real estate. They are also acutely aware that distancing, transmission and sanitisation are here for the long-haul. This will continue to have a profound impact on occupancy levels and the interactions that are necessary for business success.
Technology can play a significant role in supporting organisations to create safe and effective workplaces for their staff as well as supporting the adoption of new models of blended or hybrid working which combine the home and office.
Britain lags behind its European neighbours when it comes to returning to the workplace. It is clear that many people value the benefits of more flexible working styles which allow them to eliminate the stress of the daily commute, see friends and family and take regular exercise as an integral part of the working day. The government’s now aged ‘back to work’ campaign fundamentally failed to address the legitimate fears most people have of catching the virus on public transport and in the workplace.
Technology can play a significant role in supporting organisations to create safe and effective workplaces for their staff as well as supporting the adoption of new models of blended or hybrid working which combine the home and office.
Britain lags behind its European neighbours when it comes to returning to the workplace. It is clear that many people value the benefits of more flexible working styles which allow them to eliminate the stress of the daily commute, see friends and family and take regular exercise as an integral part of the working day. The government’s now aged ‘back to work’ campaign fundamentally failed to address the legitimate fears most people have of catching the virus on public transport and in the workplace.
Effective social distancing in the workplace goes well beyond removing desks or marking one-ways systems with coloured tape. Socially distanced desks and meeting spaces can be effectively configured with clearly marked and coloured coded desks and spaces which can be used each day. These systems can be effectively shown on digital signage around the building and on employee return to work (RTW) apps which allow an employee to pre-book a cleaned desk and co-ordinate diaries with colleagues.
Space bookings and occupancy sensors linked to cleaning systems and processes provide a highly effective and visual reassurance of Covid control measures with both intelligent and on-demand cleaning directly linked to patterns of space use. This is cost effective and provides a full audit trail and traceability.