IS YOUR WORKPLACE READY FOR LIFE POST-COVID? LEARN MORE. ABOUT PROJECTS SERVICES NEWS CAREERS CONTACT Protecting the Workplace. Retrofits for the Post-COVID-19 world. The Covid-19 pandemic changed everything. Schools closed. Public buildings reduced capacity. Companies sent their employees home to work. Now as we enter a new chapter of life in a post-pandemic world, what does this mean for our workplaces? What do we need to consider in planning for a successful return-to-work? RETROFIT STRATEGIES Empire can provide a turnkey approach to help assess a company’s workplace to determine a path forward for safely bringing employees back into the office. We can work alongside your design or PM firm to craft a strategy using your floorplan and furniture typicals. Once the plan is completed, a budget can be developed and implemented for retrofitting the space. EXPERT PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE Over the last year, Empire has spent considerable time vetting the best possible solutions in the market that can help towards providing a healthy and safe working environment. We can work alongside a client’s design firm to align these products to fit the exact solution and layout of a client’s workplace. What a difference a year makes. In the last year, a lot has been asked of us all – in every aspect of life. In this next phase, as commercial spaces start to reopen, a lot will be expected of our build environments. Is your workplace ready to welcome back your employees in a safe and healthy manner? Here are a few attainable solutions you may consider: PROTECTIVE BARRIERS Easily the most common recommendation in fighting the spread of the virus is implementing distancing protocols and physical barriers, such as the use of masks and acrylic partitions. In a workplace setting, desktop partitions can be installed to the front and sides of the work surface to safely separate individuals, while the non-porous materiality of the screen ensures the surface can be completely cleaned and sanitized. Additional measures can be taken in both the short- and long-term to encourage distancing, such as increased storage between users, planters to partition off a walkway or area, floor decals to signify new protocols and even increased desk sizes. INFECTION CONTROL Controlling the spread of any illness by ensuring the virus cannot be transmitted through surface contact is critical. Antimicrobial surfaces/elements added to existing products, such as arm caps on chairs and deskpads on work surfaces, is a simple day-1 change. As are wellness stations, where employees and visitors have easy access to hand sanitizers, wipes, gloves and masks. A long-term view of this may include swapping out fabrics on soft seating to a more bleach cleanable option such as vinyl. RETROFIT STRATEGIES For companies managing a return to work for hundreds or even thousands of employees, it can seem like a daunting task. That’s why we are here to help. We can help determine what changes are needed to reopen your workplace with COVID-19 health and wellness considerations. We will develop short- and mid-term solution recommendations using as much existing product as possible. NEW SPACE SCAN BY STEELCASE Space Scan is a diagnostic service for Empire’s existing Steelcase customers that leverages advanced analytical floorplan scanning to identify vulnerabilities in office densification and division. Its science-based analysis generates space-specific action steps and strategic solutions, laying the foundation for a confident return to the office. Using the learnings from the report, we can help implement the recommendations identified using Empire’s full suite of services and dedicated team of professionals. OUR APPROACH TO RETROFIT CONSULTATIVE SERVICES 1 ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT Examine existing floorplan: workstation size, aisle corridor width, entry points, etc. Determine where issues exist in light of COVID-19 health and wellness concerns 2 STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT Short- & mid-term strategies that offer flexible and semipermanent adjustments to the space and products in addition to new protocol suggestions 3 RECOMMENDATIONS New product checklist presented for approval Individual products specified based on unique needs Product is then ordered, delivered & installed DOWNLOAD The Post-COVID Workplace Guide Retrofitting Where Work Happens As companies determine when and how they will be returning to the office, workspaces are being altered to address social distancing and health protocols. It is certainly a new world of work, and we are prepared to help our clients address their unique needs in the commercial office and beyond. Please enter your email address to download the Post-COVID Workplace Guide. CONTACT US Is your workplace ready for a successful return-to-office? Reach out to our experts and let us help guide the way. COVID-19 Task Force Related Resources EMPIRE OFFICE INC. HQ 654 Madison Avenue, 14th FL New York, NY 10065 info@empireoﬃce.com|212-607-5500 Hollywood|Orlando|Secaucus|Tampa LINKS Client Login Start a Project Fabricate Press INSPIRATIONS & INSIGHTS News Terms & Conditions | Florida State ID Lic. No. IB26001451 | 2021 Empire Office