The COVID-19 pandemic has probably changed the way we thought about office work once and for all. Only several months ago, regular office-based work was something natural, and remote work was reserved only for the chosen ones. However, with the rapid spread of the deadly coronavirus to practically every corner of the globe, the trends have changed. Learn what the most common safety measures all over the world are and check out our tips on how to introduce them effortlessly.
Why are safety measures essential?
The coronavirus pandemic is something that we have all experienced for the first time. So far, the only way not to get infected is to avoid contact with transmitters and regularly follow hygiene procedures. As many independent researchers prove, after a few hours spent in an enclosed space, such as an office, the possibility of getting sick increases exponentially. Unfortunately, workplace conditions as we know them provide the perfect environment for the spread of the disease.
In response to this problem, governments worldwide have decided to introduce new safety measures that need to be implemented in offices. Some of the most common among them include remote work, flexible working hours, social distancing, promotion of regular hygiene practices, routine disinfecting of surfaces. In many companies, office work management software such as a desk booking app has been introduced.
How to prepare the workplace for COVID-19?
There a few simple rules that you should follow to provide your employees with safe working conditions. Check out some of the most important ones!
TIP 1: Shift to remote work
In general, most of the office work can be performed from home. If the physical presence of employees is not necessary, allow them to stay at home. Provide them with essential equipment and introduce software that will enable you to control the completion of tasks.
TIP 2: Promote hygiene measures
If employees need to work at the office, don’t forget about proper hygiene. Provide them with necessary cleaning supplies and disinfectants. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly as well as clean their desks and belongings, such as wallets and mobile phones.
TIP 3: Prioritize social distancing
Maintaining distance is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. Ask your employees to keep at least 1.5-2-metre distance. Introduce a desk booking app such as Deski to manage the space in accordance with safety measures and avoid people sitting next to each other.
TIP 4: Prepare workstations
To restrict the spread of the virus, separate workstations. Mark places that shouldn’t be occupied by employees. You can also install transparent acrylic panels that will provide a defence barrier against the virus. Equip each work station with necessary office supplies so the employees don’t have to share them.
TIP 5: Perform temperature checks
Some experts say that temperature screening can detect early symptoms of infection. If done on a regular basis, this can efficiently eliminate the risk of instant coronavirus spread among employees. If the movement in the building is high, you can opt for an automatic temperature measurement system integrated with CCTV or control gates.
TIP 6: Make teams
If one of your employees is COVID-positive, the rest of the co-workers will probably be quarantined. This is why it is important to divide staff into smaller groups working on different days. This way your business will not be completely paralyzed should COVID appear.
Tip 7: Keep an attendance list
If one of your employees is diagnosed with the coronavirus, you, as a superior, need to notify and report other employees with whom they were in direct contact. To make things easier, the Deski workplace scheduling system can instantly check who was in the office on a given day and significantly speed up the procedure.
Now you know how to manage your office properly during the coronavirus pandemic. Remember to take all measures seriously and bear in mind that even simple changes can save lives!