If post-war Germany had not converted aircraft hangars into open plan offices, we might be better off. They had to, to get started. America cottoned on to the idea as it rekindled its peace time economy. There were great savings to be had with no office walls and centralized air-conditioning. However that’s a bad idea during Covid-19. We may have to change some things before we return to the office.
Changes Coming Even Before We Return to the Office
We can expect thermal thermometers and hand disinfectant sprays to greet us on our return. However, the open plan will still be there, and the centralized air-conditioning. That’s because humans are eternal optimists the good times will return. The surfaces will be spotlessly clean of course, and this time they will be sterile too.
New technology will have rolled out long before we return to the office after the lock down lifts. A new lighting technology could mix violet with white light to kill bacteria on surfaces, although we’ve heard that’s expensive. Voice commands or apps can open and close doors. However the real changes caused by the coronavirus may be at a deeper level.
Will There Be a Return to Virtual Cellular Offices?
Things may not be so easy to adapt to at the interpersonal level. Social distancing could have pushed the desking apart. We may no longer be able to pass files across to each other, or have team builds doing amazing things together.
Instead, BBC predicts wearable apps alerting us to being too close, and bots controlling the number of people allowed in the tea kitchen at a time. Will this harm the interrelationships we have built over the years. Or will we build different types of social bridges?
We need to think about, and find solutions for these things before we return to the office and rebuild the business. Some things are going to have to change forever. We may have to come to terms with having colleagues who never made it back. We may have to work through that together.
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Preview Image: An Empty Office
