Returning to office after COVID? Return to office 2022? Every company will have a different schedule, and different plans and guidelines to follow. For some, it will mean repairs and reconfiguring. This article covers five precautions for every company...
Returning to office after working from home? COVID-19 changed the formula for every business. Here's your 'Return To Office After COVID Checklist.'
Will workers return to the office ready to go?
As the vaccine rollout programs around the world have started to yield the first results, many employees are allowed to return to the office. Even the ones that have been able to work entirely from home during the months of the pandemic. One thing: The office they are going back to will not be exactly the same as the one they knew.
Many employees are likely to continue working from home. For many, a return to the office can represent a frightening experience. In any case, it is essential for you to prepare your office facilities and welcome back a workforce in an environment that is:
- Clean
- Airy
- Healthy
- Safe
Start with these five maintenance tasks to complete before returning to office for the long-term.
Check The HVAC System
Cleaning and inspecting your HVAC system has many benefits.
First, without regular maintenance, your HVAC system can become dirty and clogged, which reduces its effectiveness. Even more importantly, a dirty HVAC system and pipes can significantly decrease office indoor air quality. In turn, your employees can feel
- Fatigued
- Tired
- Unable to focus
These issues, if left unaddressed, can also end up causing severe respiratory illnesses.
Clean-Up And Declutter
Cleaning and decluttering are important tasks to complete as part of proper office management. However, if your commercial premises have barely been used during the past months, deep cleaning duties and serious organizing projects are in order.
From your storage area to your office, you should consider reorganizing the whole office space. This is a great opportunity to invest in cloud-based and remote solutions that allow you to reduce the clutter often caused by:
- Paperwork
- Stationery
- Excessive stock
Make Improved Safety Measures
Adding comfort and creating a clean and healthy workplace is essential, but it is also important to understand what are the safety measures to implement after the pandemic.
For example, you will need to:
- Reduce your office’s capacity
- Keep doors and windows open as much as possible
- Integrate many sanitizing stations
You should also consider scheduled whole premises sanitation services.
Rethink The Interior Design Before Returning To Office
Your office’s interior design can make a difference. In fact, a few years ago, everything was about creating soundproof, private cubicles. After that, managers and business owners understood the importance of socialization and the exchange of ideas.
Today, it is important to offer flexibility, a variety of seating options, and several work stations for your employees to move around. These changes are also important if you are looking to successfully use a hybrid work model.
Check The Roof And Gutters
The end of summer does not only mark the return to the office, but also the arrival of Autumn. And, with it, windy and rainy days.
During this time of the year, it is particularly important to check your office’s gutters and roof. In fact, if these become damaged, clogged, or covered in debris, water can overflow and create structural damages.
If you suspect that something is wrong with your office building's roof, don’t think about it twice! Contact expert contractors who can:
- Inspect the roof
- Rebuild damaged areas
- Prevent small issues from becoming big problems
