Re-entering the Workplace in the COVID-Era

Our first Workplace Live session focused on re-entering the workplace in the COVID-era and featured panelists Jen Nguyen and Julija Costantino, founders of Teamwerc​ along with Carly Tortorelli, Senior VP of Workplace Technology at Impec Group.

Touching on topics from real estate, design and furniture, to operations, vendor partners and wellness, the workplace strategy experts explored the questions around what the future of workplaces and workplace strategy will look like. Below are just a few ideas on what organizations can start thinking about to position themselves efficiently when transitioning back into the office.

1. The 6’ Ring of Reality and Occupancy Calculator

Secondary to health and safety, the main concern we have right now is space. As social distancing has become the new norm, organizations will be rethinking and reprogramming the physical set-up of offices and how employees can work safely and efficiently.

Taken from the 6’ social distancing rule is the 6’ ring of reality concept. The 6’ ring of reality is expressed in a visualization of a 6-foot radius around each employee and individual workspace. Creating a visual of the 6’ ring of reality by layering it into an actual workplace footprint is the first step in learning how workplaces can be physically adjusted to adhere to social distancing rules.

Should companies implement the 6’ ring of reality, it will likely impact occupancy, seating arrangements, design and furniture, and real estate. Desks that normally seat 5 may have to seat 2, conference rooms that house 5-6 people will be suitable for 3. However, there are systems that can help mitigate the loss of workspace while keeping health and safety in mind.

2. What The 6’ Ring of Reality Means for your Organization​

While implementing the 6’ ring of reality concept into re-designing an office, there are a number of different options to help alleviate issues with loss of space. The first is a neighborhooding system, where, for example, 40 desks are allocated to 80 employees. Teams can decide together how to manage the available work areas or implement a rotating system. Hoteling is already used in workplaces around the world, allowing employees to reserve seats in advance. Ultimately, it is up to organizations and teams to decide which teams need priority of being in the office and when in-person collaboration is most important. ​

3. Work from Home Programs and Real Estate

In conjunction with neighborhooding and hoteling systems will be the option to work from home. Many workplaces have already implemented agile workplace seating, and now we have an opportunity to look for functional solutions on how to be more efficient with space. Most organizations have been forced into testing a full work from home policy during COVID-19, with leadership already looking closely at the functions and cross-functions of teams and which employees can effectively work from home.

If a sustaining or modified WFH policy becomes a permanent fixture, organizations will need to look at the percentage of WFH workers and what impact it will have on real estate. With the 6’ ring of reality, will we need to sustain current real estate or acquire more? If and when we are able to go back to work, will we then have a surplus of seating?

These questions will have to be a part of the ongoing conversation leadership and teams have as we move forward, continuing to assess the changes taking place and needs organizations will have.