Connecticut Business Centers

“The coronavirus pandemic has completely rewritten the rules of our world, exacting a physical and emotional toll each day,” says writer Alex Orlando. 

That physical and emotional toll was thrown into sharp relief when many companies and offices decided to send their staff home, encouraging, supporting and even helping them set up a work-from-home situation. But now that one office space after another has started to open and welcome employees back, almost nothing is how it was pre-pandemic. Business owners and employees are more careful in the way they interact with others, and in the places they go, the workplace included. Every workplace is taking steps to ensure the dangers of COVID-19 are kept at bay.

What steps should you take or put in place before holding a Zoom meeting to announce that in the coming days you will be back in the office? Here are some suggestions on how to keep your office safe.

Follow CDC Disinfecting Guidelines

You’ll have to clean every office space before allowing your employees to report back to work there. For your cleaners’ safety and for the effectiveness of the cleaning, follow the guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, such as wearing disposable gloves, masks and gowns, and using EPA-approved disinfectants or a solution of household bleach and water.

You can find full lists of guidelines for disinfecting public places on the CDC website.

Upgrade HVAC Filters

Air conditioning and heating equipment can spread germs and diseases, but you can reduce that possibility by upgrading the filters of your HVAC system. Install filters rated MERV 13, which is recommended for preventing bacteria and infectious diseases from being transmitted through an office building’s HVAC system.

Impose Social Distancing Protocols

There must be a limit to the number of people who are in the office at any given time, so you may have to use staff shifting if you have many employees, and also set aside some time every day for cleaners to disinfect workstations and other areas in the building before the next shift arrives. You may also have to update your office design or at least re-arrange the office furniture.

Provide Disinfecting Products

Make disinfecting wipes, isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitizers available to your employees and visitors at all times. Employees and visitors who enter the office should always use such products to prevent spreading bacteria and viruses through touching. You can also require your employees to wipe down their keyboards, mice and desks before leaving for the day. 

Someone (possibly a security guard) should also check their temperature before anyone is allowed into the building, and protocols should be in place should someone have symptoms. 

If you need an office space, get in touch with Connecticut Business Centers. We offer shared spaces, meeting rooms and more. Call us today at (203) 359-5600 or fill out this form. We have offices in Stamford, Connecticut, and in other CT areas.