Whether you worked in an open-plan office or an office with a traditional floor plan, you are sure to see some changes to your workspace. The COVID-19 pandemic made us realize that our work environments encourage the transmission of germs, with the juxtaposition of workstations and little regard for sanitation. More now than ever, we expect our workplace to help keep us healthy and safe.
But how exactly will workspaces change to meet these new health and safety standards? Here are some thoughts about the changes you may see when you return to work.
End of the Open-Plan Office
Open-plan offices eliminated privacy to encourage close-quartered collaboration between co-workers. While open-plan offices were already losing popularity, they are likely to be completely reconfigured to follow the recommendations of the CDC and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For now, workers may continue to work remotely until their workspaces can be reconfigured to limit face-to-face contact and keep at least six-feet distance between workstations. Or, workers may be asked to return on varying days to limit the amount of people in the workplace at a time. But ultimately, workspaces will change to focus more on hygiene and less on face-to-face collaboration.
Hygiene Focused
Instead of having porous materials such as wood, workspaces will have more laminates or stone. Though researchers from The National Institutes of Health found that coronavirus can live longer on nonporous surfaces than porous surfaces, nonporous surfaces are easier to keep clean. That is why they are often utilized in hospitals. Nonporous surfaces are more durable and can withstand an increased cleaning standard. Nonporous materials will likely be used for not only surfaces like countertops and desks, but also for flooring.
Carpets can trap pollutants like dirt, dust, and dander. But can it trap COVID-19? Yes, but researchers suggest coronavirus can only survive on carpet for a few hours and can’t easily be transferred to other surfaces. Nevertheless, it is important the keep carpeting as clean as other surfaces. Solution-dyed carpets with moisture-barrier backing can withstand frequent deep cleaning. So, they are likely to be the choice carpet for the redesigned workspace.
As handwashing has become an expected routine, redesigned workspaces will be fitted with sinks in common areas and reception. And where there are not sinks, there will be hand-sanitizing stations. Reception, common areas, and personal workstations may be fitted with ‘sneeze guards’ as well. Sneeze guards, or clear protective partitions, help to keep face-to-face interactions safe for both parties where six feet of distance is not possible.
Workspaces Changing to Less Communal Areas
To encourage social distancing, there will be less communal areas for people to congregate. Office kitchens and breakrooms will likely have capacity limits. And since water fountains and coffee pot can breed germs and bacteria, they will likely be removed from offices. Communal foods and beverages will likely be replaced with pre-packaged, single-serve options to lower the risk of transmitting germs between workers.
