Social Distancing Measures In Our Workspaces

COVID-19
Estimated read time: 5 mins
Published: 05/05/2020

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As a workspace provider, the safety and wellbeing of our members is our number one priority. With that in mind, when lockdown is lifted and our members choose to return to work, we plan to implement a number of social distancing measures. These measures will be put in place to ensure that our spaces can operate efficiently and safely.

We’re currently meeting virtually every day, reviewing and updating these social distancing measures in line with the latest government advice. As and when the government provides new guidelines, we’ll add to these measures.

Here are the initial social distancing measures we’ll be putting in place at Work.Life to ensure a safe return to our workspaces.

Our social distancing measures

In line with government safety measures, the capacity of our spaces will be reduced to allow for the recommended 6ft distance between each person. In communal workspaces, members won’t be sat directly beside another person, but spread across the area with a safe distance between them. Floor plans will be shown around the spaces to ensure that everyone knows where they can and can’t sit. Communal areas such as the kitchen and shared tables will be closely monitored to ensure there is no overcrowding. Our usual community events, many of which are held in communal areas, won’t be taking place for the foreseeable future, and will be replaced by virtual events.

Across our spaces, we’ll be replacing hot desking with ‘dedicated desking’. In order to minimise physical contact, you will be allocated one desk for the entire time you’re in the space, which will then be cleaned after your departure. It will be clearly labelled which desks are free and which are taken, so when you leave their desk for a while, you can rest assured it won’t be taken by another member.

On arrival, you will be given a paper desk mat, which you’ll be required to put on your desk and then dispose of on your way out. The disposable desk mat is designed to prevent members from touching the desk itself, reducing the amount of physical contact.

Increased cleaning will play a big part across of all our workspaces. Our cleaning staff will remain in the spaces throughout opening hours, ensuring that all areas are cleaned multiple times a day. High touch points will be sanitised more regularly to ensure they can be used safely.

Hand sanitiser and hand washing facilities will be available around the spaces. Members will be encouraged to wash their hands every 30 minutes, as well as after visiting higher-touch-point areas like the coffee machine or printer.

Throughout all of our workspaces, there will be a one-way system to ensure we adhere to proper social distancing. On the floor of the spaces, you’ll see arrows and footpaths clearly signposting which way to move around the space. You’ll be required to follow the direction of the footpaths.

The recommended occupancy for our meeting rooms and breakout spaces will be reduced. Recommended occupancy will be clearly labelled on doors and/or walls. In meeting rooms, we’ll also advise sitting 6ft apart where possible.

Our usual in-person events schedule won’t be returning just yet. Events will continue to take place virtually through our digital events schedule Work.Life Anywhere – which includes fitness, learning & development, round-table, and community events designed to bring Work.Lifers together online.

We’ve sanitised all internal fan coil units in our air systems to ensure high quality air – and in line with government advice, this will be regularly monitored.

We’ll be using a fogging treatment which provides cleaning and disinfecting of both hard and soft surfaces, dealing rapidly and effectively with an extensive list of bacteria, viruses, fungi and moulds, including Coronavirus. The treatment lasts for 30 days and will help to keep all surfaces sanitised and safe to use.

We are using the NHS Track and Trace system in all our spaces. To ensure a quick and seamless check in, please ensure you have downloaded the app before you visit the space. This applies to visitors, too.

 

For those using spaces, or planning a return to work, we’ve also prepared these ‘stay safe’ suggestions. These guidelines are to help keep individuals, teams, and other members safe and healthy within our office spaces.

  1. Keep your seat for the whole day
  2. Wash your hands frequently
  3. We recommend a good old walk-and-talk instead of the phone booth, but if you choose to use the booth please remember to wipe it down after use
  4. Maintain a 6ft distance from your coworkers
  5. If you start to show symptoms, please stay home

Posters with the above suggestions will be displayed around all spaces to help ensure a safe return to work for everyone.

 

We’re here to help

If you have any questions regarding these measures, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We also know that many businesses will currently be reviewing how best to return to work or distribute their team. If you would like to discuss how to return to work safely with a member of our team, please contact us at members@work.life.

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