Is your workplace ready for your return?

Making sure you have prepared for your employees’ return to work is important, but it is also imperative you make sure the office is a safe environment to welcome the team back to. It is likely that bringing staff back into the formal workplace will require a phased approach, so there are plenty of things to consider here.

Reconfigure your Office

Before the pandemic, office set-ups usually involved pods of people in smaller spaces and more communal areas. Before employees return, make sure the layout of the workplace adheres to any government guidelines as they are published and keep up to date with any changes to restrictions.

Inspections and Repairs

Make sure all HVAC systems are cleaned and repaired, and all inspections are complete before you reopen. By carrying out these checks early, you limit the amount of people in the building, thus keeping staff and contractors safe.

Cleaning Procedures

These should be enhanced. Deep clean the entire office using only government approved cleaning products. Ensure whoever is cleaning wears PPE at all times and be sure to pay extra attention to communal areas and high-contact equipment such as keyboards, printers, door handles and light switches.

All entry points should be clean and secure. Any areas which allow access to members of the public should be controlled according to the latest government advice. Reconfigure waiting areas so chairs are at an appropriate distance.

The most important thing is to regularly check for updates from the government about returning to work. The conditions surrounding the pandemic change almost daily and will continue to do so for some time. Keeping yourself, your colleagues, and your clients safe should be your number one priority.

Authored by Q Underwriting