Were it not for a global pandemic, it is likely that any changes to our general working set up would have been non-existent or gradual at best. However, we have instead been through a radical year, with necessary changes being made everywhere. As a result of this, working practices and set ups have probably been changed forever and our office spaces need to reflect this.
At The DL Company, we are the experts in creating the perfect working environment to suit your business needs. So read on to learn a little more about office design for the future post COVID-19.
Separate working spaces
In the past, teams were often integrated as much as possible to encourage collaborative working. Whilst in some ways this was positive, we have since learnt that working in isolation can promote productivity as has happened with those working from home. In addition, the more people you have closer together, the more likely infection and viruses can spread so containing different departments can protect against this. We offer various types of partitioning to enable the separation of teams.
Break out areas
For times when you do need to mingle with other people and perhaps discuss ideas, rather than doing so in a closed meeting room environment (which can also be too formal), break out areas are perfect. Our team of designers can ensure you have a set up which will work perfectly and will allow your teams to get together in a more open and therefore creative and healthy space.
Additional floor space
Keeping our distance from each other has been a mantra many of us have been sticking to for such a long time now it’s become second nature. If you are concerned that your staff might be in too close proximity when they all return to the office, this can be remedied by the additional of extra floor space. And no, that doesn’t mean moving locations! You can increase your footprint with mezzanine floors in order to give everyone that necessary distance from one another.
Desk dividers
Whilst we’ve always known that germs can be transmitted by breath, now we are acutely aware of the damage the simple act of breathing near someone can cause. As such, anything to hinder the flow of breath can help and that’s where desk dividers are useful. These clear partitions allow teams to sit in close proximity with one another, and reduce the risk of infectious particle transmission a great deal.
Sanitising stations
Again, keeping clean is something we’ve always known is of benefit. But today, it is literally life saving so facilitating this for your workforce will help to ensure they remain healthy whilst in the office. Having signs up in the bathrooms to remind busy employees to clean properly will help, as will the addition of sanitising stations in high traffic areas. Door handles and the like are well known to be key places where germs can pass between people so allowing users to kill off potential infectants will be a great help.
At The Company DL, we know better than anyone the power of effective office design and will work with you to ensure everything is as you need for now and in the future too. So just give us a call on 0114 358 6248 and we will be happy to consult on getting your office space up to standard in a post-Covid world.