Even if you are a big fan of Zoom and Teams, nothing can replace the connection you get in an office face-to-face. Instant messaging and GIF’s do not always bring energy to a group. There really is something to be said for the “water cooler” talk. Aside from a purely social aspect, an office workspace should be a place where people enjoy collaborating ideas.
More than you may realize, your physical workplace can play a strong role in promoting your brand, culture, and a sense of purpose among employees. Therefore, being face-to-face allows for this to happen naturally. Since coming to the office for many companies may become a hybrid going forward, being at the office is no longer the only option. The office can be a place of coming together intentionally and for a purpose. Who knows, you might even be more focused and productive when you do go into the office.
So, with that said, what will help the remote workers look forward to coming back to the office with masks off? Office density, the average square foot per worker, may increase post-COVID as employers are looking to dedicate more space to huddle rooms, employee amenities, and flexible workstations. A standing desk and more privacy are what the latest research suggests. Even small changes like a more comfortable chair or bright fabrics can make things more enticing.
Many companies are making a quick Survey Monkey to get an idea of what employees would enjoy as they come back to the office. Here are some questions that you might want to pose:
- What cleaning protocols will make you feel more comfortable when returning to the office?
- Do you like the amount of privacy you have had in the past or would you like more?
- Are there certain colors or office styles that you feel would make you more productive?
- What amenities would you like to see in the “new” office? Coffee bar? Lunch once a week? A massage chair is always a big hit!
- What kind of team building activities have you enjoyed in the past? Bowling? Community Service? Trivia night? General Happy Hours?
One item that will definitely be on every employees list is virus safety prevention measures along with cleanliness. Even though people are getting vaccinated, we still have not reached herd immunity in this country. And there are ever present variations that will continue to pop up. So, how will you define your cleaning routine going forward? It is best to be transparent with your staff and send an email out of what your cleaning protocols are moving forward in the new office environment. Remember that each employee has followed a plan that has been best for them to function every day during the pandemic. You must be sensitive to their needs. Some people never stopped going out of the house and do not worry about catching Covid. Other employees have stuck strictly to CDC guidelines and may still be apprehensive to venture outside of their house. And many employees are in between the two sides. It is best to make a cleaning plan that speaks to each general group so everyone can start to heal from the pandemic.
Make sure to double the number of hand sanitizers around the office as well as wipes. There is a difference between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing. Cleaning gets rid of germs, dirt, and contamination from surfaces with soap and water. But did you know that cleaning does not necessarily get kill the germs, but it does lower the number of germs that could spread, therefore decreasing the threat of spreading the infection. Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill the germs on a desk or table for instance, but it does not get the dirt and grime off the surface.
So, what does sanitizing do to surfaces? It decreases the number of germs to a safe level. Do you want to invest in a surface that sprays a disinfecting mist every night, once a week, or not at all? Some employees might have read about antimicrobial additives in cleaners. The term antimicrobial means a property of a material that kills or decreases the number of micro-organisms from forming on surfaces. This material helps to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Antimicrobials can target a specific group of organisms like antiviral, but they can also act on a more- broad basis. However, it is important to point out that antimicrobials DO NOT protect against viruses. They simply help to decrease the spread.
How do you plan to create a safe, but welcoming space for your employees to work? Along with cleaning measures, how will you choose to social distance? Now is a prime opportunity to redesign your desks and common spaces to make them feel more comfortable, but still professional. Many employees have enjoyed being able to go take a walk or do a workout whenever they feel like while still getting work done. Sit to stand desks provide a multitude of benefits that may entice people back to the office. They allow for better circulation and overall health benefits. Some companies are investing in a desk bike along with a privacy screen. Who would not want to get their “10,000 steps” in each day without much effort at all? Talk about multi-tasking at work! Along with a sit to stand desk, adjustable monitor mounts will help keep employees screens at a good eye level no matter if a person is sitting or standing.
So, what employees like to have their common spaces look like? Would they like an area to blow off steam like a ski ball machine or ping pong table? This would be a good, natural way to build back a sense of community without putting any effort forth. The new office definitely has the opportunity to redefine what we want the new and improved company culture to be along with a shared purpose and mission.
What can you do as a company to make employees excited to come into the office again? As mentioned previously in this article, some companies are allowing employees to work from home a couple days a week and then come together with colleagues the other three days a week. Other companies are going to a four-day work week, which was gaining ground even before the pandemic.
A growing trend with some Silicon Valley companies is making up a welcome back goodie bag. These are some of the items being included:
- Blue light glasses
- Purell
- Wipes
- Masks
- A coupon to a favorite restaurant nearby
- Some company swag
Now that we have discussed the inside of the office and culture, what about the physical location of the office. If your lease is up soon or if you have been going month to month, should you consider a new location? What would be the best fit for your company? With all the growth in the contract office space, maybe it would be best to rent an area of Common Desk for 6 months to see how things go. Many of these contract offices provide the following options included in the price:
- Exceptional cleaning practices
- Sanitizing or hand-washing stations
- Private rooms for 1 on 1 meetings; phone calls
- Semiprivate areas for small teams
- Whiteboarding and brainstorming areas
- Stocked kitchen with coffee, soda, and snacks.
So how will you define your new physical and team work in environment post-Covid. Knowledge is power! Go out and use this guidebook to seek out what is best for your company post-Covid. But there are advantages for physically returning to work including increased productivity, greater concentration without being interrupted by home schooling children, and better mental health. There will be a much more solid boundary between work and home life too. Some employees, who previously may not have participated in collaborating with the team, may find themselves appreciating the human connection after so much time apart.
Like any change, it will take a little time for employees to adjust to whatever you decide your office will look like in the coming months. One thing is clear- employees will discover new opportunities and ways of working that they never would have pre-Covid, and your company will be stronger with it.