Back to a brave new office - JLL

At the moment only around 5 pct of personnel are still using their offices, but to ensure that risks are minimised and that their teams feel as safe as possible, offices can only be 10–15 pct full in the first return phase.

JLL recommends a number of measure that should be taken, including: mapping employees’ routes to work and analysing their daily routines to help them reduce the risk of infection and spreading viruses, marking and one-way systems within the office to ensure employees are 2m apart, cloud-based desk reservation, more hygienic air-conditioning and ventilation systems, non-contact lifts and lighting and the introduction of new behavioural codes.

“The motivation for employers to return is all the greater because, according to our study, which focused on analysing employee feedback regarding home office, many of us have been missing our ergonomic office chairs and diverse workspaces. However, there is no doubt that the current situation will result in a redefinition of the working environment and change employees’ habits and behaviour for a long period of time, and maybe even permanently. Therefore, when preparing the return to the office scenario, companies should not focus on ending the home office work mode as quickly as possible, but look at how to give their people a sense of security and minimise the risk of infection within the office space,” explains Jakub Zieliński, a team leader in JLL’s workplace advisory in Warsaw.