Most major U.S. cities report that only about 50 to 60 percent of office workers have returned to work. Furthermore, that figure will remain about the same for at least the next six months, possibly longer.
This is, of course, a tremendous strain on building owners. Most high-rise office buildings have a break-even point: they need their facilities at least 70 percent full to cover operating expenses and begin making a profit.
So how can building owners and facility managers reduce that vacancy rate? Here are some tips that might help:
Modify the size of shared working spaces. Before the pandemic, many organizations removed walls and encouraged everyone to work in large, shared workspaces. That's not a promising idea any longer. We can still have shared workspaces, but they should be smaller, allowing fewer people in each space.
Remove all clutter. It was not until people started working remotely that they realized how cluttered their home workspaces were. Many took the time to de-clutter those spaces. Managers should make sure workspaces have storage areas where workers can place their personal and work items. De-cluttering can improve worker productivity.
Cleanliness is hugely important now. Did you know that the germs and bacteria that collect on office furniture and workspaces can be more dangerous to health than those in restrooms? Clean workspaces more frequently. Be sure to use sanitizers and disinfectants per the manufacturer's instructions. And make certain office workers know the steps you are taking to keep workspaces healthier. They will appreciate this.
Increase cleaning frequencies. While some surfaces in restrooms can be safer to touch than desks and office furniture, that does not mean they should not be thoroughly cleaned each day. In some cases, they should be cleaned and disinfected two or three times per day.
Food service areas need extra cleaning attention. Whether you have a full kitchen or just vending machines for office workers, treat areas where food is eaten or prepared as if they are restaurant kitchens. This means there should be no trash or clutter on floors; counters, tables, and floor areas under vending machines must be cleaned daily. All surfaces must be wiped clean and then disinfected. This is a two-step process and should be performed whenever a disinfectant is used.
Install no-touch restroom fixtures. Building owners and managers have been going in this direction for several years. Now, buildings should have no-touch fixtures installed as soon as possible. Be sure to select water-saving fixtures and go a step further to choose waterless urinals.
Waterless urinals also improve hygiene because there is little or no splatter, so walls and floors stay cleaner, and germs do not become airborne. Furthermore, the interiors of waterless urinals are not advantageous to bacteria growth. And, in general, waterless urinals are easier and faster to clean than traditional urinals, helping to reduce operating costs.
Make sure the lighting is adequate. Lighting can get costly, especially if rooms are infrequently used or used by few people. Install automated lighting systems with motion detectors. Do this throughout the facility. These can reduce energy use and energy costs.
How about bringing nature inside? Some workspaces are installing "living walls" filled with plants from floor to ceiling. While they can be costly and require considerable maintenance, these living walls create a strong connection with nature. However, if a living wall is out of the question, potted plants can do as well. Plants help the workspace become calmer. They bring the calming parts of nature inside. Oh, and look for plants that need minimal attention. Daily watering and regular pruning can become a distraction.
Finally, now is the time to transfer to green cleaning solutions. Green-certified cleaning solutions have been independently tested and proven to be effective but with a reduced impact on the environment. Plus, they are highly concentrated. This means they last longer and cost less on a per-use basis.
