The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many companies do business.  In May 2020, 48.7 million Americans, about 35% of the workforce, began working from home due to the pandemic.

By December 2020, about 30% of them had gone back to the office. Over the next year, many more will follow as business shifts back to the office. But almost half say they’re nervous about returning.

AS a business, it’s our job to make sure that our employees have safe workplaces when they return. That might mean adopting new cleaning plans and new safety protocols. It might also mean taking a look at safe workspace design. 

Making Sure Your Workplace Is Clean

Businesses must develop return-to-office plans for employees who’ve been working remotely. In doing so, cleanliness becomes a chief consideration.

Many workers have had complete control over the cleanliness of their daily workspace. Giving up that control may make some uncomfortable.

You can do a lot to reassure your employees that you have their health and safety in mind. You may need to create a plan for more frequent cleaning. New safety protocols like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces may be in order. You should also consider adopting a fresh, easy-to-clean workspace design.

Today’s post-COVID workplace should be designed with cleanliness in mind. An effective solution combines smart design with innovative furniture from top manufacturers.

To create a safe and healthful workplace, keep communication with employees open. Keep them informed and ask for their feedback on any new protocols. 

Safe Workplace Design

American workers have become accustomed to social distancing. For those who’ve been working from home, returning to a crowded office space may be especially difficult. Ensuring your post-COVID workplace offers social distancing while allowing for productive collaboration is your challenge.

The CDC advises that creating a safe workspace should include appropriate social distancing. They suggest using dividers and panels as barriers along with signage and visual cues to promote social distancing. 

Social distancing at work doesn’t necessarily mean giving up an open floor plan. Open floorplans allow for better air circulation. They also eliminate a lot of the most frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs and cubical entrances. 

Rethinking furniture layout, updating seating plans, and traffic flow in your offices can go a long way to creating a safe workplace. It also reassures employees that you are focused on their health and wellbeing.

Creating Safe Workplaces that Works

For the post-COVID worker, personal safety, health, and well-being have become immutable priorities. But business must carry on. So, your workspace needs to work for your employees and your business. It must be clean, safe, and within budget.

Workspace Solutions specializes in creating innovative and safe workplaces.  We’re focused on creating the right space for your company and we provide safe workplace design solutions, including options for new and used office furniture, project specification and management, and installation.  

Contact us today to learn how to create a safe workplace for your company and its employees.