Reimagining the post-pandemic workplace

The last 18 months have changed the way many of us work forever. Routine business happenings, strategies, meetings and policies have all turned upside down and even as we slowly return to normal, companies are going to need to make some post-pandemic office refurbishment to adapt to the so-called ‘new normal’.

But this isn’t an article about COVID! This is an article about creating a better post-pandemic workplace and what companies can do to help their staff ease back into office life.

This is a fantastic opportunity for business leaders to reimagine what a workplace should look like, including a thorough post-pandemic office refurbishment and fit-out. By following office design trends, they will be able to create a workplace that fosters a safe, creative and productive environment. 

Here’s a little more on what’s going on and what can be done! 

What’s changed in the workplace?

For many of us, the last time we even set foot in the office was over a year ago. Going back today will feel quite different, as all normal processes and procedures won’t be the same. Things such as:

• Common areas for co-workers to mix and socialise will need to be kept safe
• Meeting and boardrooms won’t be at full capacity
• People can’t crowd into elevators
• Adequate spacing will be needed between employees and desks

As we all start going back to work, leaders will need to develop an action plan to prioritise employee safety and create a post-pandemic workplace to be proud of.

What has stayed the same?

It’s not like it’s been 100 years. At a fundamental level, workplaces are going to be pretty much the same, so don’t go in with expectations of a complete cultural turnaround. Managers are still going to want results and you’ll still have a job to do.

One of the main things that will have stayed the same, is the effort needed from business leaders to create workplaces that put creativity and productivity at the centre of everything.

Another thing which would have stayed the same is the inherent need for staff to socialise with each other, both in a professional sense and at a more personal level. Now, more than ever, business leaders will need to make sure that these crucial things are facilitated. But how?

How can companies reimagine the office

Offices are no longer the main focal point when it comes to where employees work. Instead, they will likely become something of a hub, where staff will come and work from at different intervals. As such, the changes and fundamentals above are going to need to be weaved through the environment, with the help of a few tips and tools.

As a business leader, one tool you might not have considered is the power of writable paint. With relatively little expense and effort, you can undertake a simple office fit-out and refurbishment to keep up with office design trends and create a post-pandemic workplace refurbishment that rocks.

By including whiteboard paint in your new office refresh, you can:

Enforce COVID safety rules – with large, bright and attention-grabbing lettering and drawings that call attention to safety best practices. These can be right at the entrance, in the kitchen, in the bathroom and all other contact points. 

Spread positive thinking – with motivational messaging, drawings and doodles. It’s been a tough year, so making your co-workers and employees feel welcome and cared about can go a long way. And, since you can dry-erase and draw again, you can leave as many as you like on any given day.

Break the ice – It’s been a while since your team has seen each other, not to mention all the new starters who never even met their new colleagues. Writable paint will let you execute a range of excellent team-building games to get everyone back into the swing of things and do away with any initial awkwardness. Here are some team-building game ideas you can do on your writable wall.

Make meetings great again – We’ve all certainly had our fill of Zoom meetings over the last 18 or so months, so having writable paint in your meeting rooms will be an incredible breath of fresh air. With more people in the same room and a giant wall full of ideas, envisioning a better and more productive future will become easier and more engaging. 

Get creativity back into the game – As above, remote meetings aren’t all that great for brainstorming. You need people in the same room, with energy and ideas flying around. Assign a room for creative thinking and let the writable whiteboard paint be the canvas. 

Let ESCREO work for you

So, there are just a few ideas to get you started. If you want to create a safer, more welcome and more creative workplace, ESCREO is here to help. You can choose from classic whiteboard paint, or if you prefer to keep the original wall color, try our clear whiteboard writable paint instead. We even have a magnetic whiteboard paint option, so whatever works best for you.

We already have a track-record of helping companies in their office refurbishment projects to ensure higher collaboration, creativity and productivity. If you are interested in learning more on the topic you can check out the section regarding office productivity in our blog and our case studies with MentorMate and ITCE for real-life examples.

Times have been tough, but we’re nearly there! The return to offices will happen sooner rather than later, so if you’re a business leader, it’s time to get your post-pandemic workplace ready for the better times ahead.