Return to the Workplace

The Coronavirus has amplified the importance of wellness and safety in the workplace. As organizations transition from stay-at-home mandates towards new ways of working together, we are here to help. 

Managing a successful shift back to the workplace requires expertise, flexibility, compassion, and a practical approach. We stand ready to partner with owners, operators, and tenants to develop and implement strategies to prepare buildings, workspaces, and their occupants for the next chapter.
Preparing the Workforce
Lobbies & Shared Spaces 
As employees begin a gradual re-entry into office spaces, they will need to adapt to changes to the physical environment and to new protocols.
Readiness of the workforce physically, emotionally, and psychologically
is as important as preparing the workplace itself.


Considerations:
  • Implement a Change Management Plan  
  • Communicate, solicit feedback, and listen to employee concerns
  • Engage and reconnect employees to the culture of the organization
  • Manage employee stress and anxiety regarding safety, including commuting
  • Integrate a permanent / partial Work-From-Home policy 
  • Provide training regarding changes to work environment and protocols

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The design of public areas and amenity spaces adapts to address social distancing and minimal surface contact, supported by new operational protocols.  

Considerations:
  • Touchless building entries and security / sign-in procedures
  • Walk-off mats, sanitizing, and use of non-porous surfaces
  • Automobile and bicycle access and parking protocols
  • Mail and package delivery and distribution
  • Protocols to limit occupant density and ensure distancing 
  • Amenity space access and protocols
  • Elevator cab interiors and touchless controls / dispatch
  • Use of stairwells for single-directional circulation (non-emergency)
  • Modifications to tenant floor circulation
  • Touchless restroom doors, fixtures, and accessories
  • Policies or modifications to protect building personnel health
  • Signage programs for public awareness  
Space Planning
Mechanical and Plumbing
Responsive interior planning approaches decrease density in office spaces as tenants implement partial Work-From-Home models or phased re-entry to office spaces. 
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​Considerations:
  • Operational protocols to control occupant density                 
​           (e.g. Hoteling, or Work-From-Home) 
  • Reconfiguration and retrofit of reception area and desks
  • Redesigning circulation pathways to minimize proximity and encounters
  • Decreasing density and reorienting open office configurations
  • Minimizing shared physical resources, including personal storage
  • Modify furniture in meeting rooms and social spaces to support distancing
  • Isolation of mail and delivery processing
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Human health and well-being are directly impacted by building infrastructure, in particular mechanical systems affecting indoor air quality. 

Considerations:
  • Flush-out HVAC system prior to re-occupancy
  • Cleaning of vents, units, and coils
  • Increase humidity
  • Limit recirculation
  • Increased access to fresh air
  • Added filtration and regular filter replacement
  • Monitoring air quality
  • Flush-out plumbing system prior to re-occupancy
  • Touchless fixtures and dispensers at restrooms
  • Touchless bottle fillers in lieu of drinking fountains 
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Technology
Food Service
With increased reliance on digital interactions, spaces dedicated to communication are optimized for health and wellness as well as productivity. 

Considerations:
  • Personal device and mobility strategies 
  • Increased access to settings for video and audio communication 
  • Distributed smaller locations in lieu of singular, large spaces
  • Wireless connectivity and touchless (voice / gesture) technology
  • Limited in-room device sharing / individual device support
  • Purpose-built communication technology, acoustics, and lighting systems with future flexibility

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Providing safe and healthy options for food consumption within the office environment enhances quality of life at work.

Considerations:
  • Eliminate on-site food preparation  
  • Eliminate self-service and communal food sharing 
  • Protocols to minimize crowding in food service / dining areas
  • Non-porous, cleanable food preparation surfaces
  • Hand sanitiziation and touchless fixtures
  • Handling and storage of supplies
  • Food storage and refrigeration
  • Water purification and touchless dispensing
  • Waste containment and hands-free disposal
  • Dishwashing and sanitizing
  • Enclosed dish and tableware storage  ​
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Materials​ 
A Clean Workplace
Selection of finishes for the built environment and furnishings to mitigate adverse health effects considers material content, source, and properties. 

Considerations:
  • Non-porous and / or antiviral materials in high-use areas
  • Moisture resistant materials in wet areas
  • Removable and cleanable / bleachable fabrics
  • Hard, wipeable seating surfaces in lieu of upholstery

Environmental Considerations:
  • Eliminating toxic materials and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) 
  • Consideration of durability, reuse, and recyclability  
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Commitment to a healthier workspace requires clear protocols and participation by occupants as well as janitorial and operational staff.  Mitigating the spread of COVID-19 requires more than cleaning.

Considerations:
  • Follow public health guidelines on handwashing protocols  
  • General sanitization of public areas and workspaces before                  re-occupation
  • Regular cleaning for lobbies, restrooms and amenity spaces
  • Sanitization protocols for high-touch areas including shared workstations,  office equipment, gathering spaces, and food                 service areas 
  • Options for sanitizing hands and personal devices 
  • Additional training for cleaning personnel and operations teams
  • Audit of cleaning products and tools for effectiveness and environmental or health impacts
  • Communication and signage protocols
How We Can Help
Huntsman offers a spectrum of services to support owners and tenants in re-occupying buildings and office spaces:

  • Evaluation and re-planning of spaces considering density, proximity, circulation systems, and high-touch areas
  • Change Management, including employee surveys, review of operational protocols, space usage guidelines, and communication strategy
  • Modifications to millwork, fixtures, and equipment in pantries and other areas
  • Finish upgrades
  • Furniture inventory, design & layout, specification, dealer coordination
  • Signage & wayfinding
  • Building systems and infrastructure assessment including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevators, security, and audio-visual 
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Contact us to schedule a facility assessment or a visioning session to help with your Return to the Workplace strategy.
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