COVID-19 pandemic has barged changes in the way we work. The things that were familiar and second-nature to employees are completely different now. New safety measures and work processes are being adopted by businesses worldwide. And many of these COVID-19 solutions might linger a bit longer and continue to affect how, where, and when we do our work. These changes might make your workplace seem far distant even to long-tenured employees.

Remember that the post-COVID-19 workplace is a whole new ballgame for your employees as well. And therefore, your employees must get comfortable with the changes and embrace the workplace to be productive. Your employees should be aware of all the changing aspects in the workplace right from social distancing guidelines for office to safety and health protocol. This will enable everyone to be on the same page. Here are some of the crucial changes that will be observed in the modified version of a familiar workplace.

Workplace layout changes

As social distancing has been an effective solution to control the spread of coronavirus, it is essential for employers to accommodate social distancing guidelines at the workplace. From seating arrangement to the way interaction takes place, everything needs to be taken into consideration. Your employees cannot automatically adapt to the new changes; you need to provide proper guidance on how to use the new floor plan. The workspace can be modernized by putting enough space between employees. You can also make use of floor decals at every desk to remind them to follow social distancing.

Incorporating New Policies 

Apart from the physical changes, the policy changes post COVID-19 would have a much dramatic effect. To adhere to the workplace distancing, companies might conduct ZOOM meeting calls between people who are just a few hundred feet apart instead of getting cooped up in the conference room. The companies also might undertake the self-screening policies which say, if an employee is sick, he should not come to the office. Due to this, you might also see a growth in employer-sponsored wellness programs that encourage the notion of happy and healthy employees. One major aspect that COVID-19 has brought into the spotlight is working remotely and due to it, several organizations are now adapting to mobilize their workforce.

Adapting Technologies

Coronavirus has made remote work the need of the hour and that has certainly put light over modern digital technologies and resources. We have seen companies adopting digital platforms such as ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, and Slack overnight that helped teams to coordinate their work from home. These adoptions will help companies build a digital infrastructure in the near future. As more and more companies encourage remote working, adapting these new handy technological inventions can make your work process smoother. These technologies are likely to shape the workplace by growing it beyond walls.

Workplace Hygiene 

This pandemic has encouraged people to be mindful of their personal hygiene as well as the cleanliness of their workspaces. It has already changed how certain people perceived hygiene measures and brought into light the importance of hygiene habits. The government has issued mandatory hygiene policies for employees which will help protect their health thus improve productivity. With the coronavirus outbreak, there will be sufficient use of hand sanitizer stations at key touchpoints around the office. People now are more conscious while coughing or sneezing. It will help enforce sanitizing protocols for all shared workspaces.

Companies worldwide have discovered efficient work-from-home solutions, and this has helped them scale back their investment in workplaces. Several renowned international companies have paved the way towards it. This has helped companies alter how they use their office space. In the past several months, coronavirus pandemic has caused a rapid business commotion, which in a way encouraged adaptation.

With businesses reopening and employees coming back to work, there’s a new sense of urgency in making everything safe. It might take time to adjust to this new normal of an ideal workplace post-COVID-19. All the physical, social, and technological changes incurred during the pandemic will be generalized with time. Keeping the health and wellness of your employees on top of the mind, you need to look out for workplace safety solutions that shape your workplace into the one that promotes safety along with productivity.