In this article, you'll learn:
- The importance of adding open areas for safe social interactions.
- How contactless technology can reduce the spread of germs.
- Features like gyms and meditation rooms to lower employee stress.
- Improved sanitation with HEPA filters and UV lights for a safer office.
The pandemic and its resulting work from anywhere movement have changed our definitions of work. Rather than hold on to traditional corporate spaces, businesses have implemented more flexible environments without sacrificing productivity.
We have undergone a massive disrupter event, so if you’re still stuck adapting, don’t worry. As tenant reps, we have seen how significantly the real estate market has transitioned in the last few years.
Corporate tenants have new concerns. Companies now have to think more closely about how their physical working spaces influence their employees’ health and productivity.
So, if you’re ready to return to the office and want to do it safely, this article is for you. We will go through the new standard office amenities that promote health and wellness in the workplace, including:
4. Improved Sanitation Elements
Why Return to the Office?
People are social creatures. Even though you can be successful working from home, it is only a matter of time before most of us will miss the interactive element of offices.
According to Gensler, the main reason people want to return to the office is the social connection.
(Image Source: Gensler)
Since employees are ready to return and interact, businesses have to provide an environment where they feel comfortable to do so. Therefore, new office features are required to operate successfully in this new working world.
If you’re looking for new space, these things are essential to push for in your lease. On the other hand, if you’ve been in your space and are looking to renovate, keep these items in line when renegotiating TI dollars.
No matter what stage you’re at with your corporate real estate when you are planning a return, it is critical to stay up to date with the latest health standards.
More Open Common Areas
Social distancing is one of the most effective techniques to stop the spread of microcontaminants. Even though people are ready to socialize, you can encourage safety by ensuring it is at a safe distance. If you are renovating or looking for a new property, consider these potential open spaces to include.
(Image Source: Gensler)
Kitchens/ Dining Areas
Employers need to consider what amenities will encourage people to return. For example, having a dining feature is an excellent way to provide space for your employees to unwind.
It is key to reflect the best safety practices in your kitchens. Spacing tables and chairs apart for social distancing will allow your employees to enjoy downtime at an appropriate distance.
It is important to provide a clean environment in the kitchen more than anywhere else. This may mean updating your cleaning schedule for more frequent sanitation.
Exterior Common Space Areas
If you don’t already have them, outdoor spaces are a great way to let employees enjoy time together in more open spaces.
They allow people to get time outside, away from indoor areas where germs spread easily.
The social distancing element of exterior patios or balconies isn’t the only reason they foster employee health.
Time outdoors has also been shown to decrease stress rates. When your stress levels are high, your body’s defense systems are more vulnerable, leaving you at an increased threat of disease transmission. Providing outdoor areas will promote general wellness, allowing your employees to destress.
These outdoor spaces are quickly becoming the standard for corporate spaces across America.
Especially as businesses are becoming more competitive in convincing employees to return to physical working spaces, the importance of creating open common areas is heightened.
Contactless Technology
As businesses become more competitive, the technology standard becomes more cutting-edge. So, to get employees to return, you need to be up-to-date with the latest office technology.
One technological development that promotes wellness is contactless features. They allow employees to occupy working spaces without the risk of spreading or receiving germs for their coworkers.
Electronic Security Features
Constructing elements that allow your employees to electronically buzz- in rather than open doors will limit the spread of germs in shared spaces.
Similarly, many corporations are including automatic doors in their post-Covid renovations.
Hands-Free Bathrooms
Adjusting the amenities in your bathrooms to be contactless will also reduce the spread of bacteria.
Consider renovating your bathroom features to include:
- Hands-Free Faucets
- Electric Hand Dryers
- Automatic Flush Systems
You’re not limited to these suggestions, but these technological developments will limit the need for multiple employees to touch the same facilities.
App Compatible Features
The tech world has evolved to reflect our new safety concerns. As a result, many novel apps have been constructed that allow employees to navigate their working spaces safely.
For example, some apps allow your employees to book any open office space in your property, limiting potential contact with other employees.
Other systems are more extensive. They require adding sensors to your office that track the density levels of rooms. Employees fearful of increased contact can then reference the app compatible with the sensors to identify which crowded rooms they may want to avoid.
Stress-Reducing Features
With many employees reporting that they are reluctant to return to the office, you must ensure that the post-covid environment is new and improved. Many businesses are achieving this by introducing new wellness features that reflect the changing workspace culture.
As discussed earlier, high-stress levels leave you more susceptible to disease. Corporations are getting creative with constructing spaces that reduce stress. Consider introducing these features in your commercial space that will foster employee comfort, health, and wellness:
- Gyms
- Meditation Rooms
- Nutrition Centers
- Water Features
- Common Area Art Rooms
- Green Walls
Improved Sanitation Elements
These features will update the quality of your office’s germ-killing potential.
HEPA Filters
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are additions to your building’s existing HVAC systems. They increase the efficiency of your office’s filtration ability.
These filters are adept at catching micro-particles, stopping 99.97% of human-generated viral particles associated with SARS-CoC-2.
Such elements are becoming the standard in offices preparing for returns. By increasing the air quality, the disease risk will be significantly lowered.
(Image Source: Airtecnics)
Germ-Killing UV Lights
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems are also being installed in offices across America to improve the quality of cleanliness.
UVGI technology disinfects enclosed spaces by killing viral, bacterial, and fungal organisms with short-wavelength ultraviolet light.
It can also be added to your HVAC system to up its filtration abilities.
What Amenities To Include in Your Covid- Safe Office?
It is crucial to keep in mind the importance of listening to your employees during an office return. The best way to decide what features to include is by referencing their standard for health and wellness.
While some organizations prefer ramped-up HVAC systems, others may root for an open kitchen.
Many companies are holding open spaces for their employees to voice their concerns and preferences when for what they expect when coming back to work.
How To Negotiate New Features
Buildings that are equipped with cutting-edge amenities are more appealing to tenants. Your landlord knows that their building’s property value increases as they add new and improved features.
As a result, they may be willing to provide tenant improvement dollars if you wish to renovate to add some of the discussed amenities. Tenant dollars can usually be devoted to in-office features within your area of ownership.
Since the demand for office space is still relatively low, landlords are more willing to concede to your renegotiation terms if they know they can keep you in their property.
Therefore, if you sign on for a longer-term, you can significantly improve the possibility that the cost of these new features won’t come only from your pocket.
If you want help during this process, tenant reps are experts of negotiating on behalf of tenants. They know how landlords work and can skillfully leverage the value of your tenancy during negotiations with them.
Tenant reps are available to help you decide what features you want to include in any new or existing properties.
Want to learn more about why you shouldn't negotiate your commercial lease alone? Check out this article!
Wondering where to begin?
Related Content
Subscribe to Our Learning Center
