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.
“It is extremely important to the health and safety of people around the world that organizations take well thought through precautions when introducing their employees back to the workplace,” said John Forrester, President of Cushman & Wakefield and Executive Chair of the RRTF. “Our workplace experts, in conjunction with our top researchers, have created this guide to make this monumental migration from home more approachable – 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 its recent experience moving 10,000 companies and nearly a million workers back into 800 million square feet of buildings it manages in China through a joint venture with Vanke Service.
The guide outlines “The Safe Six” workplace readiness essentials:
- Prepare the Building – implement cleaning plans, pre-return inspections, and HVAC and mechanicals checks
- Prepare the Workforce – create policies for deciding who returns, shift/schedule management and employee communications
- Control Access – enforce protocols for safety and health checks, building reception, shipping/receiving, elevators and visitor policies
- Create a Social Distancing Plan – follow guidelines for decreasing density, schedule management and office traffic patterns
- Reduce Touch Points & Increase Cleaning – implement open doors, clean-desk policy, food plans and regular cleaning of common areas
- 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.”
“The migration back to places of business will look different for every organization, but the principles outlined in this guide are applicable to nearly every real estate owner and occupier,” said Despina Katsikakis, Head of Workplace Business Performance at Cushman & Wakefield. “As we navigate the complexity of this unprecedented situation together, our experts will continue to provide general guidance as well as bespoke solutions to our clients at every step of the way.”
Richard Hwang, Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield Korea said, “We do not expect to see companies reduce the size of their space drastically in Korea post COVID-19 but I think there will be a change in terms of how they will use the space differently. C&W is currently testing the 6 Feet Office design concept in several of our offices across the world. We will introduce Six Feet Office to our clients in Korea who are interested in applying this design concept when they are planning their office spaces in the future.”
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.
