The new normal for CRE Occupiers will include adjustments not just to the workplace, but to our working practices.

1. Practices which were happening anyway, but will accelerate technology-enabled flexible working and agile workplaces

• use of the Internet of Things (IoT) to create smart buildings;
• incorporation of wellness at work for increased employee productivity, recruitment and retention

2. Practices that will happen (or stop happening) in future

• elevated importance of business continuity planning, and health & safety in the workplace
• business process re-engineering and robotic process automation
• use of video-conferencing to reduce business travel
• the importance of “places” with generous space distancing

3. Changes which are driven by fear of CV-19 itself or the recurrence of an infectious disease pandemic

• permanent de-densification of offices
• creation of disease resistant buildings
• suburbanization of economic activity
• long-term reduction in public transport usage

With this context in mind, here are some examples of changes to Occupier behaviour and work practices in the 2nd and 3rd categories above:

• video conferencing as a replacement to many meetings and some business travel
• increased respect for personal space
• a partial return to the workplace incorporating staggered schedules, shift working, and remote working
• the rise of smart buildings that can minimise risks for individuals
• rigorous contact tracing when incidences of infection are identified
• a general desire to avoid crowded public transport
• commuters use of their transportation “card or toll tags” to operate building garage security gates/arms
• utilising flexible/serviced office providers to avoid commutes
• use of personal protective equipment (PPE), along with frequent testing and monitoring campaigns
• temporarily reduced office occupation densities

Some specific actions Occupiers may take are noted below:

(Source: Nelson Worldwide – “Work After COVID”)

Germ Mitigation

• Quick win: Create staggered lunch schedules to allow social distancing and sanitization of shared spaces
• On the horizon: Replace fixtures and furniture to focus on ‘easy-clean’ and durable materials

Creating a Safe Haven

• Quick win: Hand out a “wellness kit” consisting of PPE items (sanitizer, masks, gloves, and a safety guide
• On the horizon: Adjusting floor plans to include more touchless water stations and multiple pantry zones

Low Touch High Impact

• Quick win: Use app-based software like iOffice to schedule conference rooms, pay parking meters, and call elevators
• On the horizon: Replace touch screen technology with ‘zero-touch’ solutions

Build in Breathing Room

• Quick win: Reduce the density of chairs in conference rooms
• On the horizon: Convert smaller workplace pods to provide greater distance

Employee Training

• Quick win: Initiate procedures to manage on-going work from home, loss of creativity and no “water cooler” moments
• On the horizon: Invest in training and health and safety education with measurable results

Financial, operational and cultural impacts will differ among Occupiers, yet all organizations will have similar questions that will need to be answered. A major guiding principal to decision-making will be how these investments align with the companies’ business strategy. Financially: What quick wins have the lowest financial commitment, but greatest impact? Which investments yield the best payback or return on investment? What existing infrastructure can be re-utilized? Operationally: How do we implement re-entry? Do we rely on internal or external resources or both? How do we communicate those plans? Over what time frame do we deploy these actions? Culturally: What is the impact on our people and how do we manage change, while keeping employees safe and productive? Real estate will be affected along with every other aspect of business, economics, and society following the current crisis. Organisations need to plan ahead, starting with short term-priorities and considering longer-term solutions. The lasting impact of CV-19 is unclear. What is clear is that Occupiers will need to be flexible as events unfold.