Image by Juraj Varga from Pixabay
We’re all slowly adapting to the new normal. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still on the loose and we can’t determine when the whole pandemic will end.
However, some businesses have decided to be brave and take every measure necessary to switch back to working from an office. More and more people are getting vaccinated and there are high hopes that the world will re-open soon.
But what should you do to reopen properly? You need to prepare your office and a set of procedures to make this transition a safe one that will end well.
Prepare for a hybrid model
It is common knowledge that companies can’t just jump back into offices and roll everything out just like it used to be before the viral outbreak. In fact, companies need to blend in-office and remote workers, companies have to make some adjustments to make everything work fine.
A hybrid work model is a strategy that combines in-office and remote work in an employee’s schedule. Employees have the option of working from home or coming into the office on a case-by-case basis.
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all hybrid model. Each company creates a hybrid model that takes into account both the needs of the company and the needs of the individual employee.
However, to make this happen at your company, you should know that you need to be backed up by a good IT services provider.
For instance, if your company is located in Birmingham, you should look for reliable IT support Birmingham-based services. This kind of support provides telephone and remote support, on-site support, automated patch management, 24/7 remote monitoring, inventory scanning, and so on. All these are essential for a business that wants to function properly relying on the hybrid work model.
Consider installing temporary glass barriers
Many companies, including restaurants and gas stations, have already put up temporary glass shields and barriers to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
These barriers can be used in an office setting with a lot of foot traffic and personal interactions. To separate people and maintain social distance guidelines, temporary glass shields can be put in conference rooms, on employee desks, or in hallways.
As so many people come through an office restroom on a daily basis, it’s vital that you do everything to keep it as clean as possible. The first step would be to replace the traditional taps and paper dispensers with the new motion-activated ones, and the second would be to use partitions to limit the dispersion of toilet plumes. Floor-to-ceiling partitions do the best job of limiting plumes and providing the most privacy for the user. You can find some great examples at onepointpartitions.com.
Use managed print services
To reduce the amount of walking and moving at the office, think about using managed print solutions. These solutions are programs crafted by print providers that eliminate the need to manually use printers and handle all the problems that may happen when using office printers.
Instead, they manage all devices including scanners, faxes, and copiers. This allows a business to improve its efficiency, productivity, and safety since there are fewer chances of people meeting by a printer to chat.
However, the biggest reason why companies decide to make this move is because of reduced costs. Maintaining individual devices one at a time is more expensive than using an automated, cloud-based system to do so on a large scale. Managed print services to connect devices to a single monitoring system to ensure just-in-time replacement toner and repair delivery.
Ditch the AC
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
According to studies from the University of Oregon and the University of California-Davis, opening windows is the best way to keep the office cool while also stopping the spread of the virus.
Central air conditioners and heaters circulate air, which can spread coronavirus particles from one room to the next. Opening the windows in your office, on the other hand, will allow air to flow freely, preventing the virus from spreading through communal areas.
While this may not be possible in every office workspace, open the windows in your room for climate control if possible.
If you can’t leave a window or two open, there is one important thing to keep in mind. Avoid standing near the air conditioning exhaust. Remember that all particles are often trapped there, so you shouldn’t breathe them in because they can seriously harm your health.
Health monitoring
Returning employees to work doesn’t mean we’re no longer in danger. Encourage your employees to get the vaccine because it is still important to monitor their health and encourage them to take lateral flow tests when they return to the office.
Determine how you will handle a positive case of COVID-19 in your workplace once it reopens. Ensure that all employees are aware of the steps you’ll take to manage and isolate employees showing COVID-19 symptoms.
Final words
Some businesses will stay 100% remote, but it is also clear that a lot of businesses now prioritize the office comeback. But this has to be done safely. Every responsible business owner should be aware that someone’s health is way more important than any kind of profit.