Get Back to Work and Social Distancing Office Plan and Strategy

APRIL 2020

Armano Real Estate is at the forefront of current office space Wellness and Workplace strategies. We are currently working with tenants on back to work strategies and updating space programs to help meet their corporate real estate goal and vision.    

We are also modifying leases and achieving excellent success and substantial cost savings in a changing market.

We are happy to provide an initial space planning session and review your lease at no-fee to help you create a corporate real estate strategy ensuring your company’s success. Please feel free to reach out to us to arrange a call or Zoom meeting at your convenience to explore possibilities in more detail.

Also, please see our newsletter below addressing tenants getting back to work and social distancing plans.

Get Back to Work and Social Distancing Office Plan and Strategy

Armano envisions tenants changing their workplace plans in phases reflecting the new realities of social distancing due to COVID-19.

We expect that the first phase will be temporary re-planning of the office workplace based on recently accepted social distancing guidelines. This will ensure adequate safety measures as employees return to the workforce. We then expect the reimaging and revising of existing space plans reflecting new workplace norms and economic scenarios.

Workplace strategies focusing on wellness and guarding against infection will become a primary focus as tenants shift away from dense and open environments to less dense environments with protective barriers.

Tenants will need to provide safe working environments to maintain productivity and to retain and attract talent. New wellness requirements and certifications will be created and implemented to reflect the new COVID-19 realities.

The following are expected examples of new workplace strategies

• Workforce Preparation.
  Policies for deciding who returns. Shift and schedule management. Employee communications.
   
• Controlling Access. 
  Protocols for safety and health checks. Building reception, shipping/receiving, elevator and visitor policies.
   
• Social Distancing.
  Decrease density. Addition of cubicle walls and doorways. Schedule and per capita management. Office Temporary Barriers. Rolling white boards. Sealing openings between cubicles. Signs posted to remind employees of distancing requirements. Arrows and other markings providing on the floors to direct traffic flow. Limited seating in reception areas.
   
• Reducing Touch Points and Increased Cleaning.
  Open doors, clean desk policy, minimization of desk sharing, implementation of food plan and cleaning common areas.
   
• Increased use of Audio and Video Conferencing.
  Adaption to and increased use of new video conferencing technologies.
   
• Telecommuting.
  Increases in number of employees telecommuting as well as hours spent working at home versus in the office. Staggered workforce plan rotating those working from office and home.
   
• Communication and Change Management.
  Recognize the fear in returning to work. Communicate transparently. Survey regularly.
   
• Wellness Certification.
  Increased demand for WELL certified space to help protect employees. Effective air filtration will be a key component of tenant wellness strategies.