Why Coronavirus Could Challenge Hotd – And Change The Future Of The Work
By Ashley Lawrence, Head of Interiors at Crown Workspace.
Workplace design experts are predicting the coronavirus pandemic could prove a major challenge to the future of hotdesking. Some of the biggest companies in the country have embraced hotdesking as a way of reducing office space, embracing flexible working, utilising new technology and reducing overheads. Whilst being a hugely successful rollout, how much will things need to change back in the future?
Having spent so long persuading employees to give up their desks and introducing ‘clear desk’ policies to remove personal items such as photographs and memorabilia, the occurrence of the coronavirus pandemic has created a new hurdle. Ashley Lawrence, Head of Interiors at Crown Workspace, national experts in workplace change, believes the pandemic will have a significant impact on what will make employees feel happy and safe at work. He said: “The recent trend in the workspace has been all about hotdesking and open offices but businesses may now have to think about what people will want when we all, eventually, get back to work after the lockdown. It’s going to be a bitter pill to swallow for some employers because a lot of money has been spent on the hotdesking project, but I think they will find they won’t have a choice but to make changes if they want to keep their best talent. When people have been used to social distancing and staying 2m apart, the idea of going into an office and sharing a desk space with dozens of colleagues is going to feel like a daunting challenge.”
Ashley believes there are solutions and compromises, however, that can ensure hotdesking is not made totally impossible, so that all the great projects that have been completed over the last few years were not in vain.
He says compromises could include:
• Extended height wipeable privacy screens to protect workstations. • Using desk materials with antibacterial properties that are easy to clean and maintain. • Setting up a cleaning system, so desks are regularly sanitised, and having the equipment available for self- cleaning prior to use.
• Clear desk policies making cleaning quicker and more efficient. • Baseless monitor mounts, so there are less bacteria traps.
• Advanced, properly maintained air conditioning such as Ultraviolet systems. • Fresh natural air, utilising office plants and windows.
• Reduce wasted space and plan the office so there is less front on working using a zigzag formation. 14 fmuk
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