Getting ahead of the curve: ‘Disease proofing’ the new normal workplace

Globally, several stringent measures are being taken against the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that a “return to normalcy” will happen sooner than projected. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease said that it is possible to experience the “new normal” within the year but the transition to making people feel safe to move around should start early on.  

While many have successes in working remotely, the thought of returning to the office post-lockdown can still trigger pandemic fears and risks. The wellness and safety of the people should be treated as equally important to the economic health of a business by applying stronger employee health measures beyond temperature checks, deep cleaning, or sanitation areas. 

Experts believe that the transition period can be seen as an opportunity to address pre-existing challenges. Rethinking the ways we approach the design and use of the workplace can be utilized to help prevent diseases and protect public health.  

Sanitary Redesign 

Real estate developments need to be more conscious of the materials that they build with given the sustainability shift. In a Forbes report, it is suggested that anti-microbial materials such as copper should be more utilized to be less hospitable to germs. It is also imperative to include key distancing-minded features in their design or pre-build plans. 

To significantly lower the risk of contamination, ventilation systems must be reconfigured to blow air from the ceiling instead of the floor up. It is also recommended that the six-feet distancing buffer is observed by color-coding the floors and ensuring that workstations are properly spaced. 

Productivity & Eco-friendly Design 

Given the concurrent public health crisis, the office must be recognized as an environment too and changes in relation to keeping it healthy and safe should be prioritized. The American Journal of Health believes that improved indoor air quality can impact employee disposition and reduce absenteeism which leads to better productivity. 

Employing a high-quality air filtration system can help in disease prevention such as allergies and asthma. Breathing in good air can also do wonders for mental health as research shows that it helps alleviate stress and depression. 

Other environmental considerations include better acoustics, more natural light, office ergonomics, and ample privacy.  

The Philippines is no stranger to the rise of green developments. Moving beyond the capital, Cebu is home to the sustainable estates such as JEG Tower @ One Acacia who got ahead and placed a premium in the overall sustainable design and build of the tower to better cater to its occupants’ wellbeing and the environment.  

JEG Tower achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) BD+C Core and Shell Silver pre-certification. This guarantees that the estate is optimized for disease prevention, promotes healthier indoor space that encourages movement and activity, lower use of energy, and better water conservation. Its fresh air system is also well-complemented by the installation of the MERV 13 filter than can capture anything as small as 0.3 to 1 micron.  

RELATED: JEG Tower Focus – Additional Safety Features for Disease Prevention 

Aiming to ensure further safety from viruses, it has pivoted successfully in employing adjustments to minimize the risk of contamination through contactless and technology-reliant measures by adding automatic doors, sensors, and scanning of QR codes upon entry.  

As the priorities shift to focus on reshaping spaces ahead of the new normal and protecting communities in the post-lockdown landscape, the demand for efficient properties will only continue to increase. The future of work will rest on spaces that can foster a clean and healthy environment.  

5 Apps to Help You get through Working From Home

Transitioning to a work from home set up is not as easy as it sounds. Many people would struggle with the sudden change of environment and routine that was brought about by the community lockdowns and precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
According to experts, shifting to a work from home setting can be difficult for the mind to process as it blurs the line between the space for work and the space to rest. Employees and business owners should find the right equilibrium between achieving a better work-life balance and boosting productivity while working through a global crisis. 

Here are some mobile applications to help you boost productivity and prioritize your health as you work amid the COVID-19 pandemic: 

Leading and Managing a Team: Basecamp 3 or Trello 

Basecamp 3 and Trello are mobile apps that let you keep track of your team’s to-do lists, communicate with them through a message board or chat room, and organize and assign tasks per employee. Through these kinds of app, a ‘virtual meeting room’ where employees can post files, add revisions, and post comments may be accessible while working from home. 

Available on Android and iOS 

Keeping track of time: Flat Tomato 

Flat Tomato is an amazing and cute app which you can use to track and set a timer per task. It is based on the Pomodoro Technique of breaking work sessions into 25 minutes of intense focus broken by five-minute breaks and one 10-minute break every hour. According to studies, this technique is an effective way of boosting productivity without exhausting your brain. 

Available on iOS, similar apps are available on Android 

Background Noise to Focus: Sound Bored 

Miss the ambient sound of the office? Sound Bored is an app that offers a lot of background noise and music to help you focus and concentrate on work better. It promises ‘sanity saving office sounds to soothe your WFH situation’. According to experts, playing ambient or background office music can actually increase your focus and boost productivity while working remotely. 

Available on iOS, similar apps are available on Android 

Sanity Breaks: Take a Break Please 

One of the most effective ways of taking care of your mental health is allowing yourself to take a few breaks in between tasks and meetings. As its name suggests, “Take a Break Please” is an app where you can set aside time just to pause and breathe. This app is a reminder to take short breaks to recalibrate your focus. You can configure the time among breaks and the period of the break. 

Available on Android and Windows 

RELATED: Taking Care of Your Mental Health: Why it Matters in Time of a Pandemic 

Stress Relief and Meditation: Headspace 

Working from home, along with the drastic changes happening to life brought by the pandemic, takes a huge toll on the mental health of individuals. Taking care of your mental health should be one of your top priorities during crucial times like this. 

Headspace is an app that provides a lot of handy guided meditations that can be helpful in alleviating stress and anxiety, boosting productivity, improving exercise forms, and allowing an overall positive effect on the physical health. This app also has short SOS meditations you can squeeze in between tasks. 

Available on Android and iOS