MakingaCovid-proofoffice
DENSITY
Reduce the number of people sitting next to each other, either make them sit diagonally or in alternating desks; prevent clusters at all costs
6FT OFFICE
Encourage people to use masks and maintain 6ft distance from each other at all times, even when chatting to catch up
REALIGN
Retrofit or re-do furniture pieces that allow multiple users, like sofas or hubs. Divide them up, create solitary seating that allow people to sit and talk, but not share furniture
BARRIERS
In case of close clustered spaces, shields could be used to protect users if distancing of 6ft/ 2m is not possible
TOUCH POINTS
Eliminate the need for touch points like switches, door knobs, biometric systems, taps and tissue paper dispensers, inside bathrooms
SANITATION STATIONS
Keep the hand sanitiser at multiple locations for people to use repeatedly; encourage people to clean their workstations
ON-THE-CLOCK CLEANING
Sanitization of floor, workstations needs to be done at multiple times during the day
RECEPTIONS
Arrange to meet people at the entrance by redesigning the reception area, rather than take them into existing meeting rooms that are closed-door or confined spaces
VIDEO CONFERENCING
Make it accessible to individual stations to allow employees to be in touch with those working remotely; this will also help reduce density inside the workspace
CLUSTERING
Remove cluster points such as long meeting tables, water coolers, pantries, and dining spaces
CLOCKWISE MOVEMENT
Create paths for movement, encourage people to move only in a clockwise direction to prevent bumping into each other
LIFTS
Stagger arrival time of workers to prevent choking at the lift; limit the number of people travelling in a lift
OFFICE CAB
Avoid travelling with more than one passenger (besides the driver and you) in an office cab; keep the windows down and wear a mask
WORK FROM HOME
Stagger work days and invest in enabling employees to work from home, such as buying them internet connection, phone, laptop and ergonomic furniture
› Work from home has placed technology centre stage as we have been able to connect remotely, seamlessly for most part. Yet Covid-19 disease has shown us that we miss the human connect for which workplaces remain essential. Social distancing, especially during meetings, will become the norm. APARNA PIRAMAL RAJE, columnist and author
› The only guideline [for remote working] is trust your employee. Organisations that have invested in [such a] culture are thriving now and take this as a sign to continue being a distributed team... working from different places. VIJAY ANAND, founder of The Startup Centre, Chennai