Returning to the office in the era of COVID-19 is no easy task. We are potentially exposed daily not only by leaving home to go to the supermarket, visit the pharmacy, or take the bus, but also by going to the office and coming in contact with people from outside our circle.
Many companies have turned to remote work to continue their responsibilities and daily operations, but...
What happens when these methods cannot be implemented and you have to keep going to office?
We won't say again that all staff should wear a face mask and wash their hands frequently with antibacterial soap (although you should always remember to do so), because that can already be read in every return-to-the-office plan. Here we will explain some strategies you can implement to avoid infection and keep employees safe.
- Groups of coworkers who share the same schedule
According to many infectious disease experts, the risk of infection is higher in enclosed spaces. While there is always a risk of infection when people from different social circles come together, it can be more easily controlled through attention to who is with whom at a given time.
Establish groups of people who will share schedules to facilite contact tracing in the event of an infection. In this way you can quickly locate all employees who shared space with the infected person. Remember also that, while studies are still being done on how the virus spreads, airborne transmission is a fact. It is recommended that employees keep a distance of at least 1.8 metres from others.
Employees who can carry out their duties properly from home should avoid coming to the office. Be attentive to the distribution of employees who must come.
- Returning to the office gradually
When you know which groups of people will share the same schedule, try to bring them back to the office gradually, such as on specific days of the week or with reduced hours.
It may be difficult to reduce working hours in the office, but try to assess which tasks can be done virtually and which have to be done in person. This will facilitate scheduling and office space assignments.
- Avoid meetings in confined spaces
Some companies are taking steps to avoid face-to-face meetings. If employees are in the same building, each one connects from a different area via videoconference. This helps avoid enclosed spaces and crowds in small areas.
- Encourage and inculcate a culture of group health and safety
Promote good health practices among employees. In addition to employing masks, frequent handwashing, and hand sanitizer, encourage work teams to look out for each other. Employees should help keep spaces clean and tidy, even when there is a cleaning team responsible for this.
Encourage employees to politely remind each other of their responsibilities in the company and in shared spaces.
- Incorporate systems that allow you to manage your workspaces.
Finally, consider acquiring software systems that allow you to limit occupancy within offices. These systems usually have functionalities that allow you to generate reports on occupancy within the premises and whether you are complying with the regulations set by the World Health Organisation.
