The look of the offices is changing to cope with the Corona epidemic

The Corona epidemic is believed to be still twelve months away and the country is feeling the need to reopen offices as lockdowns open. In these circumstances various companies are taking various measures to make their offices safe for the employees.

Until now, open office layouts were popular for making teamwork better and creativity flourishing. Employees could also sit next to each other and share desks. But now the Corona epidemic has forced a change in this model.

The new challenge for the Office Layout Architect is that he now has to create an office that maintains an office-friendly atmosphere and is also protected against all corona virus infections.

"The workspace in the office is now being designed in such a way as to keep the distance between the employees," said Titir Dey, design director of a company called Workspace Designer Space Matrix. So as to ensure that they are safe. Now the distance is being maintained by placing workstations on alternate desks. Transparent Plexi Glass Partitioning is done in some places. In addition, lightweight and flexible furniture is being used.

Panasonic India has removed meeting rooms to maintain distance in its office and has set up work stations at a distance of six feet with glass partitions instead. “Our office has been divided into six zones to maintain social distance,” said Adarsh ​​Mishra, Chief HRO, Panasonic India. Each zone has its own elevator, washroom, pantry, photocopiers and walkway.

Tech Mahindra, on the other hand, has set up zones on each floor to maintain people's mobility and social distance. Frames are also painted on the outside and inside of the elevator on each floor. So Flipkart has created a LAN system so that employees do not have to come in contact with Ekmac. He has built a number of corridors and walkways for this.

Maruti Suzuki has arranged glass partitions on its shop floor, rest area, canteen and office. He has put a marker in the walkway. He has turned the conference room into a seating area to create more space for employees to sit. So Net App India has kept the consumption by reducing the door of arrival and departure.

Companies like Dalmia Cement and Wells Fargo have resorted to digital technology to create a touch-free environment. "We have installed sensor-based touchless sanitizer pods, automatic doors, sensor-based faucets in the washroom and toilet flush and replaced the old switch with sensors," said Ajit Mann, chief HRO of Dalmia Bharat Group.

Companies are now taking special measures to keep their washrooms clean for 8 hours. They now arrange a washroom per cubicle and install center-based faucets and toilet flush so you don't have to touch anywhere. P-Safe, a company that makes products such as personal hygiene toilet seat sanitizers and surface cleaners, acquired 200 corporate clients in May alone.

Many offices are now keeping a close eye on how their air conditioning systems circulate because of the widespread fear of the corona virus being spread through the air. "We have installed a heat ventilation and air conditioning system that circulates fresh air," Dalmiya told Bharat Gupta.

Another interesting place for offices is the canteen. There has also been automation to prevent the spread of corona infection. Automatic food dispensers have now become an essential item. So all these changes mean that the once open office will now be extinct? Most experts believe that open office, which has become a part of modern company culture, is not going to go away. The look of an open office that allows multiple generations to work together will change, but it will not disappear. But the old wooden cabins are determined not to come back now. The biggest challenge for most companies is to keep social distance and work with employees.

- Vinod Patel