Repurposing the office post COVID-19
Most office workers have been operating from home since the UK governments imposed the first coronavirus lockdowns in March last year. The pros and cons of remote working are still being debated, but one thing is for sure, the importance of the role that the office plays cannot be underestimated.
As businesses across the UK look ahead to the prospect of reopening their offices and welcoming employees back when restrictions are lifted, there are some pretty big decisions that need to be made.
Whilst the success of the vaccine rollout across the country is to be celebrated, the reality is that social distancing requirements are likely to remain in place for some time. Many businesses will be looking to scale back their property portfolios or sublet space to help reduce costs and to accommodate the fact that many of their workers will split their time between the office and home for the foreseeable future.
In the same way that everyone’s lives have been impacted by the global pandemic, the role that the office plays will inevitably change. For workers, days spent at the office will no longer be habit, but a planned event. Repurposing the space to accommodate flexible working arrangements and social distancing requirements is going to be a priority for most businesses and something most businesses need to start considering now in anticipation for restrictions being potentially lifted on 21 June.
The role of the office
The role of the office and the value that it delivers has been demonstrated by its temporary removal. Its importance in relation to social connection and interaction, company culture, and collaboration and creativity need to be reflected in how an organisation’s space is designed and presented.
For most employees, the day at the office will become an occasional event that needs to be planned and booked in advance. Employee desk space is likely to be reduced (by 50% or more) to accommodate social distancing requirements, and there will need to be an emphasis on hot desking and flexible working arrangements.
Many organisations will also be considering furniture that can easily be moved and surfaces that can be easily and effectively cleaned. Deep cleaning will also need to become a standard practice as opposed to an emergency response. Electrostatic sanitisation is one of the safest, most technologically advanced and long lasting methods for sanitising an area. You can read more about it in our blog.
A greater emphasis on technology is also going to be a priority. A premium will be placed on new ways to minimise or dispense with touching surfaces, and voice activation technology will become more valued. Spaces and technology that allow employees in the office to collaborate effectively with their home based co-workers will also be essential.
Many businesses will be embracing collaborative working.
Many organisations are taking this opportunity to consider the mental and physical health and Wellbeing of their employees. For most it has been a year of unprecedented upheaval and disruption, whilst some will have experienced a degree of trauma as a result of COVID-19 – whether that’s from being ill themselves, losing loved ones or enforced isolation.
There will almost certainly be an element of a need to convince employees that it is safe to return to the office and that appropriate measures have been put in place. Socially distanced spaces where employees have an opportunity to meet with colleagues away from their desks will be extremely important. This will help them to transition back to work environments and reconnect with colleagues who they may well not have physically seen in over 12 months.
The workplace has been shunted into a new paradigm and there is certainly a lot to consider for both the immediate and long-term.
If you would like help assessing your current space with a view to repurposing it ready for the return of your workforce, or advice on furniture, sanitisation or storage solutions, then get in touch, we’d love to help.
How to repurpose your office post COVID
An agile working example
We can help assess your current space with a view to repurposing it ready for the return of your workforce. Contact us for more information.
AV technology solutions
Our AV technology solutions allow employees in the office to collaborate effectively with their home based co-workers , check out our full brochure.
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