Changes In The Workplace Due To COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has quickly swept the world, our nation, and the mass population into crisis. As the number of those affected continues to rise, cities, states, and countries have had to declare a state of emergency in order to halt the spread of the virus. Organizations have realized the importance of taking extra diligence in the workplace; many are closing their doors completely by sending employees to work from home for an extended period of time. We, at designforce, want to ensure that people are, 1) taking the necessary precautions at work to avoid the virus, and 2) ready to work-remote for an unknown time frame. Below are some tips about getting through this time. 

Workplace safety

• The #elbump aka the elbow bump. Jimmy Kimmel coined this term on his talk show, and this substitute for a handshake has quickly become a very popular gesture. The important thing is: stop shaking hands! 
• Disinfectant is your friend! Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer should be used routinely. Disinfect your desk and office supplies with wipes daily. 
• Do not open public doors with your bare hands. When entering/exiting a restroom, restaurant, or public space, use a paper-towel to open the door. This ensures that germs from others do not transmit to you.
• As the future is uncertain, bring home laptops and technology at night just in-case your company is closed the next day. 

Remote Working Practices 

• Stay connected. Although you may not be face-to-face with your team, there are many platforms that a company can use to stay connected through this time. Zoom, Google services, Slack, and email are all effective tools to share data and information. Ensure that your calls are forwarded to your cell-phone from your desk phone. 
• This is the time to over-communicate with your team. Over communicating isn’t a bad thing! Transitioning from a team that typically collaborates in-person together to a team that is entirely remote may lead to miscommunication or mixed messages. Over-communication with others will ensure that the work still gets done and items are not lost in the shuffle. We over-communicate at designforce, so that everyone is always on the same page. 
• Your work-space is important. Personally, I cannot sit in bed when I work remotely, as I am the type of person that equates my bed with sleeping or Netflix. I must find a different space where I know I will remain engaged such as a dining room table or coffee shop. Find the place that you feel most comfortable, but will allow you to still get work done. 
• Stay available. Although many wish remote working  equates to catching up on television shows, long breaks, and maybe only checking your email twice, it is important to be available during company business hours. Businesses are still open as usual, which means work-flow should not decrease by much, if any. 
• Embrace the downtime, but be productive. This may be a great time for you to tackle the small yet important tasks that you have yet to complete. 

Incorporating these safety tools and remote working practices into your routine over the next few weeks will be key to not getting sick and remaining productive. Please be safe, cautious of your surroundings and proactive in your actions. For more information, check out the CDC Guide for Workplace, School, and Home Safety Practices, 

Please note the information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.