Is your business heading back to the office soon? Are you contemplating keeping your team remote? Have you prepared your office space for the return of your employees? Are you planning on cutting business travel?

Many countries have put safety measures in place to ensure they do not receive another large outbreak of COVID-19. Some of these precautions include staying six feet apart, wearing facemasks in public and washing hands as often as possible. The world has changed as we know it, and we believe the post COVID-19 business world will look different.

Working Remotely

During COVID-19, many companies were able to set-up their workers remotely and some of those companies will be keeping it that way. Remote working tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive and similar applications made remote working possible. Some of the pros and cons to keeping employees working remote are below.

Pros

• Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19 and other viruses and colds among staff.

• Cost savings: according to Global Workplace Analytics, employers can save USD $11,000 a year per employee that works remotely due to using less or no office space.

• Some employees work better from home and are more productive and happier.

• A more casual atmosphere.

Cons

• Lack of routine for some staff.

• Less team interaction.

• Some employees work better at an office.

• Hard to have a work/home balance.

Post COVID-19 Office Space

For companies that plan to head back into their offices, it may be very different than before. Large boardroom meetings could be a thing of the past. A few measures should take place before employees head back into the office, along with other precautions that may stay for the foreseeable future.

Before Heading Back to the Office

• Establish protocols to reduce potential virus spread

• Post external signs indicating new office protocols

• Provide employees with everything they need to keep their work surfaces clean, including disposable wipes, hand soap, paper towels, disinfectants, and alcohol-based sanitizers

Once Back at the Office

• Screen employees to ensure they are healthy

• Reduce the number of employees on site through alternating workdays or shifts

• Train staff on proper hygiene procedures

• Limit capacity of shared spaces - especially bathrooms, elevators, lunch rooms and kitchens

• Have the tables and counter tops disinfected and cleaned regularly. 

• Communicate weekly with your employees to ensure compliance

The Future of Office Spaces

Although there will be some quick fixes, as mentioned above, to help reduce the spread of viruses, the long-term changes to office spaces could include the following:

• Having a sink at reception for everyone to wash their hand upon entering

• Open concept offices may be less popular due to not being able to social distance

• Air filtration that use ultraviolet light

Business Travel

Traveling for business may never be the same in the post COVID-19 world. Business travel is expected to be minimal for the next year or two. Many Canadians are also unwilling to travel, with 57 per cent of Canadians unwilling to go to a business conference until a vaccine is available.

Ben Baldanze, former CEO of Spirit Airlines estimates that there will be a five to ten per cent permanent decrease in business travel. Baldanze explains that as many teams worked from home and were unable to travel for business, they found other ways to communicate with clients/employees.

Conclusion

In a post COVID-19 business world there will be a new normal. More companies and employees will work remotely or set schedule to go into the office. The office atmosphere may be different, with a high focus on staff health and hygiene procedures. Business travel will look different, with less business spending money on travel. Over time, things may return closer to what they were before COVID-19, but they will never be the same.