There are two types of technology that can help with the future of work. Those that keep employees in touch with each other when they\u2019re working from home. And those that keep them socially distanced when in the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tools like Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams have seen huge increases in users since the pandemic as people search for the best way for everyone to keep in touch. The best tool for you will depend on what you need it for, but it\u2019s safe to say that there are tools out there to do just about everything and that are suitable for every budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s also new technology emerging all the time to help people remain socially distanced in the workplace. PathFindr has brought out a new beeper that warns people if they\u2019re within two metres of each other. Employees wear it around their neck, attach it to their belt, or place it in their pocket. It sends out a signal every couple of seconds to see if another device is nearby. If one is, it calculates how close it is. Should the device be less than two metres away, it lets out an audible sound warning people that they’re too close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many offices used to try to cram as many desks on to a floor as possible, but that’s no longer doable. Instead, desks need to be two metres apart. Where this isn’t possible \u2013 or as an additional precaution \u2013 Perspex partitions can be set up, giving employees individual cubicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Floor markings, much like the ones a lot of supermarkets have been using in the queues outside, also help to keep employees apart. This gives them a better visual of how far apart two metres is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the current issues with everyone returning to work is that many people start at the same time. This means that there\u2019s an influx of people using public transport or driving again. It also means when they get to the office, there are more people in the stairwells, using lifts, queuing to make a hot drink, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexible working hours means than people can avoid these busier times and work on a schedule that suits them. This can be great for employee morale and mental health. For employees that prefer to work later, it may even lead to increased productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scatter Lunch Breaks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scattering lunch breaks is another way to keep employees apart, particularly if there are limited toilet facilities or a busy cafeteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cafeterias could also offer employees packed lunches to eat at their desk \u2013 or outside \u2013 instead of them going down to the cafeteria and risking overcrowding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, but one thing we can say for sure is that it’s changed the face of work forever. Whether or not that’s a good thing, only time will tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over the last few weeks, the government has lifted restrictions allowing some people to return to work. However, to abide by new social distancing rules and protect employees, businesses need to adapt to the new normal that so many of us have already been implementing in our personal lives. But what does the future of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-covid-19","category-culture"],"yoast_head":"\n