WeWork just published a 16-page handbook on reopening its offices after the pandemic. Here's what's inside.
- WeWork consulted the architecture firm Arup on how to change work spaces to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
- The company has released a 16-page document showing what its coworking spaces may look like after the pandemic.
- WeWork's lounges, pantries, and meeting rooms will have reduced seating capacities, and stickers indicating where to stand will promote proper social distancing.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Collaboration spaces like WeWork offices are set to get overhauled after the coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus, which has infected more than 1 million Americans, has led to widespread office closures and work-from-home orders. Since the rate of infection has slowed, some employers are mulling reopening their workspaces.
But offices must limit the likelihood of people contracting and spreading the disease. The White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend employers close common areas, routinely disinfect surfaces, and enforce 6 feet of distance between people in reopened offices.
Given these parameters, coworking companies like WeWork will need to redesign offices to minimize contact.
WeWork confirmed to Business Insider that in consultation with the architecture firm Arup, it has produced a 16-page brochure envisioning what its future workspaces may look like. It will replace dishware with disposable plates and cutlery, place stickers that indicate where to stand for proper social distancing, and install touch-free hand sanitizers outside each work station.
Here's what WeWork spaces may look like after they reopen:
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Elevator lobbies will now have footstep stickers that indicate where members should stand for optimal social distancing.
Elevator lobbies will now have touch-free hand-sanitizer dispensers and office-hygiene guidelines displayed on TVs. WeWork will also place stickers outside elevators that indicate where members should stand and wait.
The presentation does not indicate whether the stickers will be 6 feet apart, the CDC's suggested distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Reception desks will now have touch-free hand-sanitizer dispensers nearby. WeWork will place stickers 6 feet apart in front of reception desks to promote social distancing.
Community lounges will have reduced seating capacity. For instance, four-person spaces will be converted into two-person setups.
WeWork will rely on "visual guides" to instruct members on how many people are allowed inside a lounge and where to properly seat themselves.
In pantries, WeWork will begin using disposable cups and cutlery. The soap and wipe dispensers will be touch-free.
WeWork will also limit seating capacity in kitchens to prevent close contact.
WeWork will continue to allow public printing for its members, but it will install hand-sanitizer dispensers and provide hand wipes in the "high-touch" space.
Single-use phone booths will be cleaned by staff "routinely," and guides will instruct members to wipe down stations before and after each use.
Meeting rooms will have decreased seating capacity and table stickers to instruct members where to sit to ensure limited contact.
Restrooms will have no-touch soap dispensers and printed guides instructing members to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.
Bathrooms, like other shared spaces, will undergo increased cleanings throughout the day.
WeWork partnered with "industry-leading" engineering firms to revamp their heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems to circulate fresh air throughout the building.
Source
https://www.businessinsider.com/how-wework-plans-to-redesign-work-spaces-after-the-pandemic-2020-5?IR=T
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