Cushman & Wakefield Releases How-to Guide for Reopening Workplaces

Manila, Philippines May 22, 2020 – Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) has released its “Recovery Readiness: A How to Guide for Reopening your Workplace,” a comprehensive guide for real estate tenants and landlords on reopening workplaces as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. This follows the creation of the firm’s Recovery Readiness Task Force (RRTF) and the launch of its new social distancing product, “Six Feet Office”. 

The guide was developed by Cushman & Wakefield’s workplace experts and researchers with quick and customizable solutions that are cost-effective to implement. In creating the recovery readiness guide, the firm leveraged insights and best practices from moving 10,000 companies and nearly a million workers back into 74 million square metres of buildings it manages in China through a joint venture with Vanke Service.  

The guide outlines “The Safe Six” workplace readiness essentials:   

1. Prepare the Building – implement cleaning plans, pre-return inspections, and HVAC and mechanicals checks 

2. Prepare the Workforce – create policies for deciding who returns, shift/schedule management and employee communications  

3. Control Access – enforce protocols for safety and health checks, building reception, shipping/receiving, elevators and visitor policies 

4. Create a Social Distancing Plan – follow guidelines for decreasing density, schedule management and office traffic patterns 

5. Reduce Touch Points & Increase Cleaning – implement open doors, clean-desk policy, food plans and regular cleaning of common areas 

6. Communicate for Confidence – recognize the fear employees may feel in returning, communicate transparently and listen/survey regularly 

Matthew Bouw, Chief Executive Officer, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield noted, “The How-To Guide for Reopening Workplaces” is a must-read blueprint for both landlords and tenants on how to successfully navigate the difficult task of returning people back to the workplace in a safe and sustainable way. The recommended practices and protocols outlined in this guide have already been implemented within a number of countries across Asia Pacific, with tremendous success. We are also partnering with several specialist firms that have deep subject matter expertise in relevant areas. As an example, we are collaborating with Delos and the Well Living Lab to undertake scientific evidence-based studies to expand on our 6 Feet Office prototype, with further testing in areas such as advanced air filtration and surface hygiene technologies.”   

Cushman & Wakefield Philippines will help the landlords and corporate occupiers it advises in the commercial and retail sectors, transition back to the workplace when the controls on movement ease further. Claro dG. Cordero Jr., Director and Head of Research, Consulting & Advisory Services, Cushman & Wakefield Philippines said, “There is a need to re-assess the occupancy strategy and the associated costs over the long-term as this will entail additional capital expenditures to both the tenants and the landlords. Coming back to a constrained economic environment, most of the occupiers will need to re-structure their operating business to fit into the new business normal environment. In order to comply with government regulations at the minimum, enhanced sanitation measures and reducing workspace density need to be considered. With improved spatial planning to enhance safety and wellness and make efficient use of real estate, occupiers should leverage this window of opportunity to plan ahead and save in the long-term.”

Cushman & Wakefield Philippines expects almost half a million square metres of office space could be pushed to 2021 due to potential construction delays brought about by the community quarantine measures imposed by the government.

Claro added “In the immediate term, we are looking to help our corporate occupier clients navigate a safe return to their office, depending on asset type and the particular sector.  Some of these safety protocols can be implemented fairly quickly at low cost in their premises whilst they strategise a longer-term real estate strategy”.

Access Cushman & Wakefield’s “Recovery Readiness: A How-to Guide for Reopening Your Workplace.”

For more details on Cushman & Wakefield’s collaboration with Delos and the Well Living Lab, please refer to the news release.