As COVID-19 continues to spread at a rapid pace, many offices are beginning to think about making permanent changes for the future. Whether your workplace is operating remotely or you’re making the transition back into the office, long-term changes may be necessary to keep employees safe. From new trends in office interior design to reimagined virtual meetings and staff socials, we share insight on what to expect here:
Continued Use of Virtual Meetings
Since the beginning of the pandemic, your team has probably gotten familiar with virtual meetings. This convenient (and safe) form of meeting is here for the long haul, as many companies are leaving large, in-person gatherings in the past. If you’re not a fan of video conferences, you’re not alone. However, you can expect improvements to the software to continue as tech companies fine-tune video chat features.
Expect Smaller Meetings
When virtual meetings aren’t possible or an in-person meeting is preferable, the solution may be to hold a small gathering in a room with plenty of space. Crowded conference rooms will largely become a memory, but one-on-one meetings are expected to become more prevalent. Need to hold a larger meeting? Masks may be required for such gatherings to reduce the chance of spreading airborne droplets (even after the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic).
Creative Outlets For Socialization
When a team feels a sense of comradery, they’re more likely to have success working together to achieve common goals. Socialization is a critical component of a happy and healthy company culture, so it’s important to offer opportunities for team members to get to know one another. If you’re looking for creative ways to encourage socialization while practicing physical distancing, remote team-building exercises may be a fun option. If in-person gatherings aren’t something you want to forego, converging outdoors in an open area will allow individuals to socially distance while having an enjoyable time chatting.
Even after the COVID-19 pandemic comes to a close, it’s likely that changes to office design and etiquette are here to stay. In addition to a continuing reliance on virtual gatherings and less frequent in-person meetings, office interior design may feature seating spaced further apart. If you’d like to redesign the workplace to adhere to physical distancing recommendations, we’re here to help ensure that your vision is reflected in the space. Our team can assist you every step of the way, from project startup to customer satisfaction check-ins. If you’d like to learn more about our process and how we can help, please contact us.
