These are challenging, difficult times. One of the pressing issues is determining when is the right time to open the economy and get back to some sense of normalcy in the workforce. 

This topic is ever present when it comes to our workplace environments. As we prepare to forge forward, we need to start planning now. 

We have identified questions every organization needs to ask itself as it considers re-engagement. 

The first are: Is our workplace supporting employee safety? How do we address the physical limitations of our work environments? What can be done in a short time, with an ease of implementation and in a fiscally responsible way? 

Here are a few of the essential approaches all businesses should be considering:

• Visible housekeeping: Promote active cleaning procedures during the workday. Gone are the days of just the cleaning crew coming in at nighttime. Let your team see that the spaces are being cleaned throughout the day. Encourage your internal team to promote the same practices.
• Workplace environment: Establish protocols by area, such as new rules for welcoming people into the reception area, maintain 6 feet social distance in open workplan zones, eliminate hoteling and use of touchdown areas until the threat of the virus has been mitigated, and limit the number of people in conference rooms and collaboration spaces, as well as use of shared resources in those areas.
• Operations: Limit the number of touch surfaces (door handles, shared coffee machines and water coolers, elevator buttons, etc.), add antimicrobial finishes/pads, install fever scanning systems, encourage virtual meetings even within the office environment.

Read the full Hartford Business Journal article here.