After sheltering in place for the past few months, many people are anxious to return to the office. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Questions are swirling: Is their workplace safe? Are there new sanitization regulations? How will daily office habits need to change to ensure everyone\u2019s personal health? Not having all the answers is nerve-racking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While employers can take certain precautions to help keep their employees safe, your clients are also probably curious (or concerned) about what landlords and serviced office providers are doing<\/a> to maintain healthy environments amid the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you put your clients\u2019 minds at ease, we\u2019ve gathered the most common back-to-work building questions and outlined how we\u2019re proactively addressing<\/a> them at WeWork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is, with some strategic changes. Office spaces are going to be less dense<\/a> than they were before, with new layouts that make smarter, healthier use of space. Employees will also likely have staggered start times to reduce foot traffic in the halls, stairs, and elevators. In China, for example<\/a>, it may take one employee up to 40 minutes to get to their destination in an elevator because only two people are allowed to ride one at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At WeWork, we\u2019re reconfiguring our spaces<\/a> to reduce density and capacity in both common and private areas. In common spaces, like lounges and community desks, we have added floor stickers to indicate a safe distance for two people to stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re also staggering seating so individuals can maintain a reasonable distance from one another. Areas that once hosted four-seaters will now safely host one or two. And smaller work nooks will be reserved for just one person at a time. Wipe dispensers will be placed nearby so that members can clean surfaces before and after each use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n WeWork enables teams to expand in place. This means companies can move from a single, large workspace<\/a> to multiple smaller spaces within their current building to maintain healthy physical distance. This minimizes operational disruption by letting teams work under the same roof\u2014without risking cross-contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It is essential<\/em> that workplaces master their cleaning procedures. Though it\u2019s not hard to kill COVID-19 germs, the difficulty lies in preventing them from spreading rapidly. WeWork has always offered the most comprehensive daily custodial services for our members. But in light of COVID-19, our staff has heightened cleaning and hygiene practices to align with the recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and other local health organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve increased the frequency and scope of daytime cleaning and sanitization. We now offer access to complimentary hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and gels, and alcohol sprays throughout the building, making it easier for individuals to regularly sanitize their personal areas. We have also installed touch-free soap dispensers in all restrooms and pantries. In most cases, we provide recyclable, single-use cutlery, dairy products, and condiments in the pantries. And we outfit our Community teams with masks, gloves, and other personal protective equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of the challenge in stopping the spread of the coronavirus is getting everyone to do their part. It\u2019s hard to trust that others are being responsible. It\u2019s also hard to remember all of these new rules!<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why, at WeWork, we\u2019ve implemented friendly reminders at every turn. We\u2019ve partnered with landlords and building security to ensure safety protocols are followed throughout the entire building. We\u2019ve created buffering signs in lobbies to ensure that people stay a safe distance from one another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n High-traffic areas like printing stations and kitchens<\/a> will have clear signage to remind members to follow sanitization protocols. Many of our locations are even on the lower floors of buildings, so members can avoid using elevators if they like. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIs it possible to maintain a healthy physical distance from colleagues in my office?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do I know if the building is safely sanitized?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do I know that others are following safety protocols?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can I be exposed to COVID-19 from the air in the building?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n