2020 has been a real game-changer in the way we set-up our office spaces. With social distancing being our new normal, there are many new things we need to keep in mind when setting up a new office space.
Now more than ever, businesses need to be very diligent when setting up safe, healthy, and comfortable working spaces. Here are 5 key steps that will help you set up your new office space in 2020.
Make sure the temperature of the office is comfortable at all times
A comfortable working environment plays a key role in productivity; as many employees may be feeling uncertain about returning to work, ensuring that they have a comfortable environment to return to is key.
The temperature of the working environment as the season's change is possibly the most important, but what is the best option when it comes to heating your office space? PTAC Inc has made it easy deciding between a PTAC heat pump vs electric heat. Consult them and you will get the best advice.
Set-up a new office flow
Setting up a new office flow will really help ease your employees into this new normal. The easiest way to do this is to create a layout that encourages social distance. This might mean that you need to reconsider your open-plan set up if that's what you had prior to lockdown.
This can be done by either going back to the old cubical system or setting up plastic sheeting at all work stations. Floor stickers that encourage social distancing in areas where employees are most likely to come into contact with each other are also very useful.
Think about the color of your office
The color of the walls plays a big role when it comes to mood, psychology and productivity. Knowing which color to go with when applying a fresh coat of paint or decorating your new office will further assist you in creating a calm and comfortable environment for your employees to return to or begin working in.
Many studies have linked the color blue to a calm and productive mood. Green is linked to broader and more creative thinking, so decorating your office in a combination of blue and green could be the best way to create a calm and productive working space in color.
Light it up
Lighting has a specific impact on productivity and general wellness and is often over-looked when setting up an office space because it is often the most difficult element to change or have control over. Many studies have shown that the best choice is natural lighting, so the more windows you have, the better.
Exposure to natural light is known to help increase the quality of sleep in humans, and we all know that the better our quality of sleep, the healthier, more rested and more productive we are.
Space out desks and furniture
Not only does this comply with the new social distancing norms, but it also helps create a healthy working environment by making employees feel that they are safe and not too close to each other.
Also, when employees feel that they have their own space to work without anyone "looking over their shoulder", they are very likely to be more productive. How you space out your office will depend on the size of your floor space but it will not be helpful to seat any employee too close to a wall or in a tight corner; always consider the space within the space.