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Although the majority of offices workers are working remotely, there is a slow trend of moving back to the office, with some people working just 1 to 3 days per week.
However, with the threat of coronavirus still present, every office needs measures in place to keep it safe and minimise any further infections - as we investigate below.
Office screens and seating arrangements
It is now common to have distant seating arrangements in your office space, usually several metres apart and separated with plastic cubicles or separators.
It is also sensible to add signs on the floor when queuing up for things like the water cooler, coffee machine or the toilets - so people are reminded to keep their distance and avoid over-socialising.
Maximise ventilation
You can design the layout of your office to maximise air flow and ventilation. If you have windows or doors, keep them wide open, which shouldn’t be too hard in the British summer.
In crowded office spaces in London, you should try increase ventilation where possible since any small and claustrophobic rooms are going to be a hotbed for germs. If someone infected coughs or sneezes, it will have less of a chance to escape.
Put hygiene first and nominate someone to be in charge
Hygiene needs to become part of the company’s everyday culture and something that every member of new and existing staff needs to be trained in, reminded of and be monitored for.
This could involve putting someone in charge of hygiene and making sure the best practices are maintained, such as social distancing, face masks, hand sanitisers are full and discipline staff too. This could be a good role for someone in HR, or certainly someone with authority and will be listened to.
Hand sanitisers should be available at every corner and making sure that this is stocked up and not empty. One of the basic things is having a table at every entrance and exit with a large hand sanitiser dispense. If you have the budget, you can look at adding hand washing stations too.
If the culture of hygiene is instilled into staff members and daily procedures, you are on track to creating a clean and covid-free environment.
Avoid outsiders
If you are a company that regularly conducts meetings, stick with Zoom and try not to have people coming into your office, unless they are cleaners.
If you prefer, try meet someone outdoors or a well-ventilated cafe or restaurant - but certainly avoid having people in your office if you can.
Stay on top of your supplies
To keep your office and workplace clean, you will need to have all the right amounts of cleaning products including sprays, hand gels and liquids – and these will quickly become scarce amongst the large purchases from panic buyers.
Make sure that you can stay on top of your supplies and you can do this by checking with your suppliers and always looking for alternatives. It may be worth being slightly overstocked, just in case these products become hard to get hold of.