Office work has changed since COVID-19 struck, and new trends are starting to appear. The office furniture setup, office tables, office chairs, office equipment, the way we enter the office building, use it, navigate it, and exit it at the end of the day have all changed to focus on safety, public health, and constant vigilance.
Here are some of the current office trends we have observed, which will most likely persist post-COVID-19.
1. Workstation Physical Distancing
Many offices face the task of maintaining a six-foot separation between workstations, as required by the government. Employees will feel better knowing that their boss is offering a workstation with ample social distance so that they can concentrate on their work rather than thinking about being sick.
Suppose your company doesn't encourage workers to work from home, for the most part. In that case, you'll need to either invest in modern, more conventional desks that allow for a safe distance between employees or redesign your workspace's tables to accommodate the new rules.
2. Open Floor Plans
Even though research suggests that open office spaces are less efficient, the trend isn't going anywhere. Moreover, open floor plans are much easier to clean and restrict the number of surfaces that workers can touch.
Office door handles, cubical openings, and chair arms are some of the most touched items, making workplaces secure from a distancing standpoint but potentially risky from a germ spreading standpoint. Similarly, every office is likely to use the same HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, known for spreading COVID-19 and other pathogens.
We know that good ventilation is important for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens. Providing an open floor plan with windows that can be opened will improve office ventilation quickly.
3. Office kitchens are taking on the appearance of hotel minibars
The employee kitchen in the office building is changing from a place where people might meet and enjoy big communal meals and cafeteria-style dining to a place where, in a post-COVID procedure to minimize sickness by shared kitchen equipment, it's becoming the hotel minibar.
Consider single-serving beverages, snacks, condiments, and cutlery. Lunch bags and bento boxes with your name on them. No more communal mugs or glasses. It's now reusable personal water bottles or disposable cups.
4. Furniture, appliances, and finishes are being given more focus
With the use of adaptable office furniture and equipment, careful selection of easy-to-sanitize and antimicrobial finish materials, and 21st-century appliances and technology that restrict touching and make our office spaces more functional, there's a growing need to future-proof our environments.
Furniture: Lightweight, kinetic, and portable furniture that is easily movable, reconfigurable, and sanitized can help you keep your employees safe while also allowing you to adjust your floor plans as needed. Also, spills are quickly washed on microfibre couches and chairs.
They have a good reputation for being flexible all-around fabrics that can endure heavy use while remaining easy to care for.
Technology: Technology can drive the development of buildings and offices that are both worker-friendly and healthy. The building's mechanical system will be upgraded, and touch-less technology will be used to provide maximum environmental control.
The following are examples of new technology:
- Motion lights and motion sensors should replace the traditional fixtures
- Open doors automatically using sensors or facial recognition software
- Elevators and AV systems that can be operated using a smartphone
5. Office Signs
Most people have become so accustomed to road markings and signs that we've forgotten how important they are in maintaining order. Emblems, decals, and floor stickers are effective and are now incorporated into our store and office environments.
Using floor stickers to indicate where one should stand when waiting for the elevator (or lift) is the best way to ensure workers maintain proper social distance and reduce density. If your office has narrow hallways, consider making some one-way only (if possible).
Final Thoughts
Now is the time to think creatively. Unconventional office spaces with creative floor plans can help brand the business, inspire workers to think outside the box and offer new profitable opportunities.
For more ideas regarding your office design, feel free to get in touch with our specialists.
