As the end of 2020 approaches, COVID-19 continues to affect and transform the way we live and work.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, OfficeSpace has built a comprehensive suite of resources for facilities managers, ensuring access to trusted information for planning and managing their office reopenings.
Back in July, we published part one of a consolidated list of our COVID-19-related blog posts and other resources. Here’s an updated recap of the resources we’ve created since then.
As offices reopen, companies must re-evaluate the traditional office environment. Many organizations have embraced a ‘hybrid’ workforce structure by combining both in-office and remote working.
Hybrid workforces complement physical distancing plans by reducing occupancy levels, but they come with their logistical challenges. Learn about the hybrid workforce model and what to consider when transitioning to this type of office environment.
One way to leverage a hybrid workforce is to have employees return in shifts.
This could mean dividing employees into two groups, so one group works from the office on specific days or weeks while the other group works from home, and vice versa. In this article, we look at a range of shift work scenarios that could benefit your office and how to implement a shift work plan.
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Physical distancing requirements and hybrid workforces mean occupancy levels will change and fluctuate, and facility managers must continually adapt. Flexible working requires a different approach to seat planning and space utilization.
For example, if an employee is only in the office two days a week, do they need a dedicated desk? How might flexible work impact cleaning schedules? In this article, we discuss the advantages of desk booking and how it can create a safe environment for employees.
Whether you’re hot desking or allowing workers to choose and book their own seats, desk booking software is an essential tool for facility managers. Employers can close desks or sections for cleaning, and by using bookable desk tools, they know who is sitting where and when. This article details considerations for introducing a bookable desk system and how the OfficeSpace Distancing Planner can help facilitate the change.
Contract tracing is an essential public health tool. But for it to be effective, employee privacy must be the top priority. We outline HR standards and best practices for contact tracing in the workplace, as well as tools to reduce the manual workload and increase accuracy, confidentiality, and efficiency.
OfficeSpace is excited to announce the release of Safeguard. With Safeguard, you can create fully customizable forms to screen returning employees for COVID-19 risk factors.
Managers can prohibit employees from checking into booked desks until they’ve successfully passed their screening. Best of all, Safeguard is included in your OfficeSpace subscription, so there’s no need to manage additional apps or costs.
New Zealand is an example of a particularly successful COVID-19 mitigation approach with the government quickly enacting a strict, country-wide lockdown. The result is far fewer cases and deaths compared to other, comparably-sized countries.
We share five key lessons from New Zealand’s COVID-19 approach, and in particular, their return to work strategy. Learn how New Zealand employers implemented workplace physical distancing and contract tracing measures while supporting employee health and well-being.
We (virtually) brought together leaders from top global organizations to detail their return to work transition strategies. The panel also discussed their plans for dealing with the impact of COVID-19 for the long-term and future trends. Listen to the full recording to learn more from our panel of experts.
Figuring out how to construct a positive employee experience in a COVID-19 world has been a struggle for organizations of all sizes and industries. Working from home and working in a new, dynamic workplace both offer unique challenges. How do you make employees feel connected and productive at home while also making employees feel safe and secure in the office?
OfficeSpace spoke with three workplace operations experts who shared their insights on how facilities managers can improve the work from home experience and navigate the evolved workplace.
Cheryl Cran, the founder of NextMapping, shares her insights on the rise of technology to support remote work, how remote work has changed communication rules, and how employers can balance efficiency with empathy. She also discusses the social disruption element and the concept of shared leadership or moving from the “me” to “we” leadership model.
Activity-based working is new terminology to many, but it’s quickly gaining traction and popularity. Workers are demanding more flexibility and collaboration opportunities, and companies are learning how the model can save money and increase efficiencies.
We consider the concept of activity-based working (i.e., adaptable workspaces where workers can move away from a fixed desk) and discuss how you can reimagine your office as an activity-based space by focusing on flexibility, collaboration, and interaction.
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As things continue to evolve with COVID-19, shifting to a new workplace model that combines remote work and in-office work may last far longer than initially thought. This evolutionary work style facilitates flexible work to ensure employees’ safety and productivity, known as the dynamic workplace.
But where do companies start when planning the shift to a dynamic workplace? This article discusses what facility managers need to consider to prepare for a successful transition to this hybrid office and the tools to make the process most effective.
Photos: Rodion Kutsaev, Anastasiia Chepinska, Mika Baumeister, August de Richelieu, Paul Hanaoka