Your People and Your Culture: Rebuild the Bond
We closed the office and turned our homes into our workplace. This has impacted everything about daily life. Our family members and roommates have become our coworkers. Saturdays feel like Wednesdays. Boundaries have disappeared. Our colleagues call around the clock. We work at our dining room table, in bed, on sofas, at card tables and—if lucky—in a home office.
Physical distancing norms, health, and safety concerns are at an elevated state. As we transition back to the workplace, finding the balance of how to create personal interaction and virtual collaboration will be vital for our well-being. We have identified three critical areas of focus to help you navigate return to the workplace in a COVID-19 environment: employee well-being, organizational culture, and transforming the floorplate.
COLLABORATE
CREATE
CONTROL
COMPETE
Collaborate Culture
Do things that last
An organization that focuses on long-term internal development and team building and supports a work environment that demonstrates flexibility, concern for people, and sensitivity for customers.This culture emphasizes community, cooperation, and the development of knowledge, while operating like a small family.
1. Physical distancing will be difficult.
2. New norms will be essential as they transition into the physical workplace.
3. People may grieve that they no longer have the physical closeness.
4. Their unified behavior produces a strong organizational image in the marketplace and the idea of community extends to customers.
Overview
Overview
Create Culture
Do new things
An organization that concentrates on doing things first by differentiating itself externally with a high degree of experimentation and individuality. This culture pursues breakthrough innovation with a wide array of experiments—and the new workplace could provide opportunity to create.
1. Least impacted by the COVID-19 changes implemented in the workplace.
2. They will embrace new ways of working.
3. Too many rules and protocols may stifle their creativity.
4. Flexibility and adaptability should be emphasized.
5. Embracing new technologies and processes can lead to breakthrough products and services.
Overview
Compete Culture
Do things now
An organization that focuses on doing things fast through external competition with a focus on results. This culture will adapt the fastest to the new world of work, as they are competitive and results-oriented.
1. Need to emphasize the importance of cleaning and physical distancing.
2. People need clear guidelines for shared spaces—their usage and need for cleaning.
3. They are quick to learn and embrace new technologies, processes, and ideas.
4. Require easy and fast access to information and their network.
Overview
Control Culture
Do things right
An organization that focuses on doing things right through internal procedure with a need for stability and control. This culture thrives on a sense of security and performance metrics.
1. Clear guidelines for appropriate physical distancing are important.
2. People need a systematic approach to move seamlessly between different work settings.
3. A remote work policy will be essential to foster a sense of security and performance while the organization balances remote work and physical presence.
4. Potential for employee burnout is a concern if management is not clear about remote work expectations.
We Are Entering a New Normal
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We are here to help you rediscover employee engagement and nurture your company culture as you return to the workplace.
Design Considerations When Returning to Work
Identifying total occupancy by floorplate.
Defining the quantity of specific positions needed on site.
Remote Work
Assessing your floorplate density level to meet physical distancing guidelines.
Determining the ratio of individual workpoints and the maximum space occupancy.
If space doesn’t allow, determine sequencing and work rotation for remote workers
Provide legible cues for cleaning and disinfection.
Publish and communicate guidelines for cleaning and use of spaces.
Assess material cleanability on all surfaces and switch out when needed.
Shift unassigned spaces to assigned spaces for individuals.
Convey clear understanding of new safety protocols in lobbies, receptions areas, security checkpoints, food and beverage areas, etc..
Adjust workpoint configurations to allow appropriate boundaries between workers.
Assign specific group spaces to teams.
Offer physical and virtual solutions for personal interaction and team collaboration.
Integrate technology to connect on-site and off-site team members.
Provide individuals a variety of spaces to safely accomplish their work.
Offer options to increase mobility and flexibility in dense areas.
Allow for people to define and personalize their space.
Address facility flow and circulation areas to achieve appropriate distancing.
Repurpose collaboration areas for individual work as needed.
Modify individual workpoints to comply with physical distancing norms.
Provide supplies for occupants to clean their own space.
Interaction/
Collaboration
Identify and publish supported platforms for communicating internally and externally.
Create protocols for communicating between on-site and off-site teams.
Provide cleaning procedures for personal and group touch-screens.
Utilize floorplate public display for messaging/communications.
Cleanliness
Safety
Density
User Control
Technology
Employee Well-Being
Organizational Culture
Transforming the Floorplate
Supporting people’s physical & psychological health to build confidence and enhance performance.
Understanding and preserving your culture to empower your workforce and leverage your space in new ways.
Addressing facility requirements, density, and exposure while mitigating risk.
What's on Your Mind Right Now?
Employee Well-Being
Organizational Culture
Transforming the Floorplate
Supporting people’s physical and psychological health to build confidence and enhance performance
Understanding and preserving your culture to empower your workforce and leverage your space in new ways
Addressing facility requirements, density, and exposure while mitigating risk