Working Environment

https://www.dezeen.com/2020/05/14/weston-williamson-social-distancing-office/

This is a blog to write down some comments or opinions about this article from Dezeen.

01. Yes, I think this idea with employing a barista or a cook will work in a typical office. It can decrease the number of going out to eat for the staff so it can perfectly avoid social contact with people when going outside. However, the barista or the cook should also keep a safe distance with the staff. In my opinion, it can explore more aspects such as providing a food court that sells different types of food to fulfill every staff and the staff may bring their lunch boxes.

02. Yes, I think this idea with providing a new social distance in 2 metres will work in a typical office. By this way, the office may increase some floor graphics on the floor to remind the staff to stand on them in order to keep a safe distance.

03. Yes, I think this idea with providing transparent plastic screens around each desk will work in a typical office. This is because the staff can communicate with people in a safe distance and in the meantime they can have eyes contact and observe the facial expression.

04. I do not think this idea with using hands-free door opener will work in a typical office. For most people, they do not get used to opening the door with a hands-free door handle. Besides, some staff may wear short-sleeved shirts and when their skins touch on the handle, it can also spread the bacteria. Instead, I will suggest to fix auto-door with sensor that it automatically opens when someone is closed to the door.

05. Yes, I think this idea with opening window to increase ventilation will work in a typical office because most of the offices contain windows. However, in a rainy day, they can use air purifier instead of opening the windows.

06. Yes, I think this idea with setting up a testing kits in the main area will work in a typical office. This is important to make sure that all the staff are in a safe and healthy condition. It is better if the company provides masks for each staff and they will feel more safe when working.

07. I do not think this idea with providing more office space for bikes will work in a typical office. Because nowadays in Malaysia, most people go to work by car or by bus, there is almost no people go to work by bicycle. So, there is no need to have more space for bikes.

08. I do not think extend the flexible working hours will work in a typical office. Because the staff will feel more tired when extending the working hours. It is better to let them work from home in alternate day. For example, group 1 can work at office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and work at home on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday while group 2 can work conversely.

09. Yes, I think this idea with changing the workstation layout will work in a typical office. The staff worked with a social distance provide a safe working environment by reducing the number of workplaces per table. They also create lateral screens as table dividers.

10. I think meeting in a space or a room will work in a typical office. I think both of them are same. However, it should also provide a social distance and sit on individual chair.

11. Yes, I think this idea with working only 1/3 staff will work in a typical office. Because when the number of the staff is reduced, there are more spaces for the staff to move and also reduce the risk of getting virus.

12. Yes, I think this idea with keeping social distance in kitchen or bar area will work in a typical office. The office may increase some floor graphics on the floor to remind the staff to stand on them in order to keep a safe distance.

Yes, these ideas fulfill the guideline suggested in the two attached documents. For example, no. 9, the workstation layout is changed to be more safe to increase the spacing between the chairs.

“In the US, most office workers work in individual cubicles and can't even see their coworkers, so social distancing is automatic. You can't eliminate door handles because most doors are locked and require a key card or combination to open. Not something that can be changed; we are much more at risk from armed attacks by disgruntled coworkers and employee's partners than we are from any virus.”

I agree with this comment because there are some companies truly work in a personal space. There are many types of doors in the offices and even the companies. Besides, it is not convenient for a disabled person.

“It appears that society is just looking for solutions rather than solving the immediate problem. Regular washing of hands is more than sufficient and has been so for most of the modern era. If we go down the road of isolation, avoiding contact at any cost, etc., then the human race will lose the ability to fight off the common colds and other day-to-day illnesses we already have around us, as our immune systems will be weak. Designing hand washing stations in public places would (to me) seem more useful.”

I do not agree with this comment because I think that just washing hands is not enough for people to fight the virus. They can not only provide washing stations and but also search the methods to limit the spread of virus via air such as increase the ventilation indoor. Besides, people can strengthen their body by exercising at home or doing some yoga.