How to get back to business with Covid-secure office working

Transcript:

How to get back to business with covid secure office working.

When the coronavirus epidemic threatened to overwhelm healthcare services, we went into lockdown and overnight, as the threat level drops, businesses need to plan a Covid-secure return to office, and think about how to transition to a new normal.

So what does a Covid-secure workplace look like, and what needs to be considered?

First, establish a volunteer policy and split those who want to return into two teams. Have those teams alternate their time on site, building in both health and operational resilience.

Revisit your workspace layout maintaining two meter distancing to avoid the need for screens or PPE, especially in locations where people may spend a full working day together.

Plan a phased transition; expect 20% - 30% of your usual on-site headcount during this period, gradually increasing as restrictions relax.

Stagger arrival and departure times into the office to avoid bottlenecking.

Encourage walking and cycling; provide additional bike racks where possible.

Limit the number of visitors on-site by invitation only.

Use apps for electronic booking, discourage non essential deliveries to the office, and if possible, create a space to quarantine post.

Display signage at key locations to remind people of safe protocols and positive behaviours.

Create a simple, clear and visual, one way circulation system where possible; build in passing places where one way circulation is not possible.

Allocate desks from the edges of the space and inwards, to maximise capacity and to help keep walkways clear.

Repurpose, reposition or remove furniture to support spacing and circulation.

Arrange seating in a zigzag formation with people facing in the same direction when they're in close proximity. Where space allows, reverse the direction of seating to enable eye contact across safe distances.

Plan only essential face-to-face meetings, allowing time for cleaning between sessions.

Smaller rooms can be used for virtual meetings or as a quiet pos. Where meeting rooms can accommodate distancing, use them according to circulation rules and fill the furthest seat from the door.

First use floor graphics or free standing markers to create stand up meeting areas and display signage to guide new meeting etiquette.

High-backed chairs and booths can provide effective barriers and are good for short one-to-one meetings.

Avoid food preparation on site. Instead, provide fridges shared within work bubbles.

Teams stay in their work bubble for socialising, locate supplementary food and drink points within Team Zones to reduce the pressure on main kitchen areas.

Increase the presence and frequency of cleaners and enlist hygiene helpers to provide etiquette reminders and support health anxiety.

Establish a deep-clean protocol in the event of a Covid-19 case, provide hand sanitising stations at high-touch locations.

Speak to your landlord about ventilation and air filtration and communicate all hygiene measures clearly.e

Establish a “Leave Clean” routine as people pack up for the day and, where possible, use a different exit to the entrance.