Who thought that heading back to work was something we would all be thankful for? Although restrictions vary across regions, many are seeing an exciting shift back towards working in person. This shift is a crucial step towards feeling a lot more “normal”.
But what does the future of workplace management look like from this point on? How can we implement processes that allow us to stay back at work once we’re back? We’re here to explore the future of workplace management after COVID-19.
Workplace management is the process of overseeing and optimizing the environment of a workplace. It involves managing the physical location of where work takes place and where employees come to complete their jobs each and every day.
Duties for workplace management including everything from how employees, visitors, and contractors sign in at the workplace, to the office space employees, have to do their jobs most efficiently.
Workplace management has always been relevant and important to many successful businesses. But it has changed a lot because of COVID-19.
With employees working from home and gradually making the transition back into the workplace, many businesses have had to adjust. Not to mention the many new requirements that have been introduced in order to keep us all working safely once we are back in the workplace.
In addition to the physical considerations for office spaces, organisations must also look at the needs of employees. A recent Honeywell survey found that 68% of workers do not feel completely safe in their buildings. As such, organisations must ensure these also factor into their workplace management plans.
It might feel exciting to get everyone back at the office and working together again. However, the new future of workplace management lies in our hands.
As we make this transition, it’s important to understand what workplace management looks like after we return to work.
Capacities may be limited and many companies will be required to split employees time between working from home and working in the office. Flexibility is going to need to be a priority more now than ever.
Employers should expect to have to arrange for employees to work at least partly from home and be understanding when it comes to their comfortability levels. Employees will also need to be adaptable in making the hybrid transition and communicating their needs around working from home or in the office.
Another method for progressing towards a return to work is by returning to the office in “shifts”. Some people may be required to come in only on certain assigned days.
This will help to reduce capacity and help businesses remain compliant with capacity limits. Shifts will need to be diligently recorded and groups assigned and tracked throughout the process.
Regardless of the method employers choose for transitioning their employees back into the office, employees will need to be tracked. All employees will be required to record when they have been in the office.
One of the most effective ways to do this is with automatic check-ins when entering a site. QR codes are also an efficient, touchless way to check people in or complete contact tracing. The ideal workplace management system will offer both of these options, plus more.
One of the most essential parts of a safe return-to-work plan is implementing the appropriate screening measures. In order to ensure employees, visitors, and contractors are ok to be around others, they will need to provide information about their health and any symptoms they may be experiencing through pre-screening.
One of the best ways to complete pre-screening is with Sine Safe. Sine Safe empowers you to pre-screen anyone who walks through your doors, and before they return to work using Sine Daily Check. You can ensure they meet your COVID-safe return to work policies before they come back on-site.
Send screening questions to all staff and track their responses in the live dashboard. It’s simple to approve and reject access requests and determine who is safe to return to the office.
Ongoing efforts to follow general requirements will need to be made. Whether it’s things like ensuring staff and visitors wear masks, putting up proper signage, ensuring crowding stays to a minimum or having sanitiser stations around the office, there are plenty of things that will fall under the responsibility of workplace management.
At the end of the day, it’s up to both employers and employees to implement and follow these processes. We’ve come a long way and it’s up to all of us to work together to create a stable future in the workplace.
Workplace management requires the proper tools and technologies on your side in order to be most successful. Sine helps you to achieve your workplace management goals as it’s simple to integrate and basic enough for anyone to use.
