POST COVID-19 CHALLENGES

The sudden onslaught of Covid-19 Pandemic has changed the way we live and work and this has led to the so called ‘New Normal’. Though the working from home concept existed during pre-covid times as a choice, the sudden lockdown left us now with no option but to work from home as a new norm considering the safety of every employee and valuing human life as the utmost and of paramount importance.

There is a huge debate now on when and how to get employees back to office. This is not as simple as it seems, but depends on the whole gamut of global situations to the local preparedness. The Managers and function Heads are now faced with the challenges of meeting the crucial requirement of preparing the facilities to welcome back the employees. The COVID-19 outbreak has acted as a catalyst for change and has reiterated the need to focus on how our facilities are being managed and services are being delivered.

The key focus areas for every Facility and Infra Head in preparing their facilities are:

1. Building and Environment:

Ensure all inspections, repairs and Maintenance are complete before re-opening, Review Cleaning plans, pre-return inspections, ensure readiness of Mechanical, HVAC, Fire/Life Safety systems, Ensure safety of all workers

2. Inside Facility:

For Contactless Movement Install Touchless ingress/egress access control systems, Protocols for Employee Screening and check-in systems, Food Management plan, cleaning norms for common areas, Protocols for safety and health care, Elevators usage guidelines, visitor Management new policies etc. Create Social distancing plans for seating, meeting rooms etc., decreasing density, Establish clear Movement and office traffic patterns etc.

3. Employees Confidence:

Policies for deciding who returns and when; employee communications. Mitigate anxiety of returning to the workplace through change management planning and Communications. Recognize the fear in returning, communicate transparently, listen/survey regularly and Have HR policies regarding illness support etc.

4. Go Digital:

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced companies to reset the ongoing soft services to support the workplace environment. There is a growing need for automating FM & Infrastructure business processes, everything from move-ins, service requests and maintenance, to energy management or workspace customization. Facilities managers must leverage data for better decision making, capacity planning and improving the workplace experience for employees and customers alike.

5. Smart Technology & AI:

The concept of smart buildings is pushing every Manager to rediscover the use and integrations of buildings into one single eco-system. Every asset or device within the building, such as lights, sensors, windows, HVAC units, doors and CCTV, having a unique identity and all fully integrated into a network. Artificial Intelligence and IoT technologies can increase operational efficiency and improve building management, by allowing to distantly monitor and control facilities.

6. Enhancing User Experience:

The pandemic situation has redefined employee experience and expectations completely. As organizations prepare for their reopening, there is a growing need for employers and occupiers to assure and demonstrate to their associates about their safe return to the workplaces and ensuring their safety in the longer run.

The FM’s have a greater role to play in these focus areas to ensure the facility is safe in all respects when the facility operations begin. What becomes the most important aspect for Facility Manager is the ‘Perception Management’ as to how all the stake holders of the business perceive what has been done to ensure they are safe while working in office.