Missing the Office?
Those of us who’ve been working from home are now familiar with the pros and cons: the lack of commute, comfort of familiar surroundings, and option to work in your slippers are balanced out by children running around, the temptation of a lie-in, and the lack of IT support when your online meeting tools are not working properly.
We are also well-acquainted with the ups and downs of office life — and there’s plenty to miss: the weekly lunch with friends, the banter, the watercooler chats, the immediacy of asking questions and getting answers in person, the creative energy of meetings, and basic interaction with other adults to name a few.
With teams working remotely, ad hoc conversations and quick decisions have been made far more difficult. The sense of community, of all being in this together, may still be there, but it is harder to maintain when everyone is working at different times in different places.
When we do go back into the office, all those things we miss will return but take place in a new culture of social distancing and PPE — two terms most had never heard at the start of 2020. If we’re going to return to our desks or workstations and discuss what we’ve been binging on Netflix whilst grabbing a coffee, it’s got to be in a safe environment.
The Importance of Offices Being COVID-Secure
The British public is being urged to do their duty in tackling the spread of coronavirus. Now those who will be venturing back to work will reasonably be expecting their employers to protect them as best as possible.
Based on government guidelines, the British Standards Institute (BSI) have set out new guidelines on safe working that can be downloaded here.
But what will a COVID-secure workplace look like? In terms of staffing, it will be quieter for the foreseeable future. Teams of workers are likely to work in rotation with staggered start and finish times; some people will alternate between the office and home.
Workspaces are starting to look different, social distancing meaning that desks must be kept far apart, one-way systems need to be put in place, screens must separate those in spaces that cannot be distanced.
We’ve probably realised when out shopping that we’re always touching communal surfaces. Some of the more hi-tech offices will be countering this with technology. Apps will be able to open doors and order coffees. We’ve had contactless payment for some time; and many businesses are moving towards contactless working environments.
Where contact cannot be avoided, PPE will have to be used; people will need gloves, hand-sanitiser, and the tools to regularly clean their workspaces.
It will all seem very unusual at first, but will soon become a natural way of working. At GeigerBTC, we have considered your wellbeing by offering PPE alongside the promotional products we’re known for. Take a look here.
Use the Power of Post to Stay Connected
As business slowly and carefully resumes, reaching out to existing and potential clients and customers is more important than ever. With remote working increasing email noise to unprecedented levels, one sure way of cutting through and connecting is by using promotional merchandise — proven to be more effective than any amount of email or social media marketing.
Promotional merchandise has multiple benefits. For clients or staff working remotely, receiving a surprise in the post could make their day, helping them feel valued and connected to you. This, in turn, can boost morale, something precious in these turbulent times.
You can check out our extensive range of working-from-home merchandise ideas for everyone from customers to employees here.
The Right Promotional Merchandise, Safely Provided
The new regulations apply to almost every workplace for the foreseeable future. At GeigerBTC, we’ve adapted our day-to-day processes and working practices to make sure that we are completely certified and compliant with relevant guidelines. We have the capacity and workforce to dispatch premium PPE and branded products or promotional clothing to your door, wherever that door is.
Contact us
Whether your needs are social distancing measures for your workplace or PPE, safety or wellness products for your teams, or corporate merchandise please get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
