There’s no denying the lockdown radically changed the way you do business. Despite a gradual reopening of the economy, a return to normal is not on the docket yet either. Although you may be back in the office (or planning on returning soon), you can’t go back to the way things were if you expect to keep your staff safe.
As you feel out for a new way forward, look to technology for guidance. Here are three ways technology can help you virus-proof your office.
1. Tightly Control Access to Your Workspace
You never want just anybody to walk into your office without going through a vetting process. It’s a point of physical safety, intellectual security, and now healthcare concerns.
A sophisticated ID plastic card printer system helps you safeguard all three by tightly controlling who can access your space without face-to-face interaction. You can make it so that employees and guests must show these badges to gain entry to your building and specific rooms.
A card hanging from a retractable lanyard is also a quick visual cue to your in-person security team that the right people are inside. Anyone missing a badge can be safely escorted out of the building.
At minimum, your plastic card printer should produce ID badges that show identifying details about the owner, like their name and photograph. However, the best id card printer can accommodate a variety of details and security features to boost the efficacy of your ID cards.
If you aren’t sure what your ID badges should look like, check out these sources for ID card templates for ideas.
2. Depopulate the Office
De-densification, the latest buzzword to join the likes of social distancing and contact tracing, is a means of reducing the number of people allowed in your office at any given time.
Corporate HQs around the world are experimenting with the following de-densifying tricks to help regulate attendance without disrupting workflow:
- Invest in personal devices for each of your employees
- Use video conferencing to eliminate the need to be in the same room
- Outfit phones with Bluetooth feature so that you don’t have touch buttons
- Embrace work-from-home orders when possible
3. Reduce Shared Surfaces
While a work-from-home policy is ideal in virus-proofing your office, it’s not always possible. Depending on your industry, your entire workforce may have to come into the office.
Unfortunately, no matter how far apart people sit, there will always be shared surfaces. Things like light switches, door handles, bathroom features, and break rooms are high-touch areas that may pose a contamination risk.
You can reduce this risk by eliminating the need to touch them at all. Try installing motion-sensor lights and faucets and using an HID proximity card system so that your employees and guests don’t have to touch entryways.
The Takeaway
A return to the office doesn’t necessarily mean a return to normal. At least not for a while, according to leading health experts. Until then, you’re going to have to make some changes to reduce the risk of spreading the virus at work. Fortunately, the technology that can help you do that is accessible and relatively inexpensive.