CommonGrounds In The World Of COVID-19
As the U.S faces the spread of coronavirus, flexible office space is emerging as a potentially better workspace outside the home for working professionals. Unlike traditional office space, coworking spaces are subject to a higher level of routine cleaning. Given recent developments, many are adding additional layers of sanitation and processes every day. This has no bearing on the cost for the members either since they are not subjected to annual Common Area Maintenance Fees (CAM). Daily comprehensive housekeeping services are already built into the coworking membership fee. This allows for a higher, more detailed cleaning and a consistent level of service.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, coworking spaces, like CommonGrounds Workplace, have implemented an increased cleaning scope and sanitization, involving enough stocking of sanitization products and accessibility of cleaning wipes and hand sanitization to members. For example, CommonGrounds Workplace Managers have placed disinfecting disposable cloths by all high-frequency touchpoints like copiers, phone booths, and chat rooms. CommonGrounds’ locations also have a higher amount of ventilation, as in most cases each individual office has their own return and ventilation. This increases air circulation and filtration through the main HVAC system.
Another benefit of flexible office space is the ability to easily close oneself off from other employees more easily than a traditional office. This reduces the opportunity for the virus to spread, as COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets between people who are in close contact with one another reported by ThriveGlobal.com. Coworking spaces offer solutions to support this, as they typically provide a variety of isolated spaces, allowing their members to work in a much more private environment. Instead of large one-room offices, most flexible offices are divided into smaller office spaces and private rooms.
More and more companies across the U.S are beginning to implement a work from home policy, as just announced by Fortune 500 companies like Facebook and Google in Seattle to combat the spread of coronavirus. Tech, as an early adopter and strong supporter of work from home policies, sees a 72% drop in office use since the outbreak of the virus, as reported to Density customers by Median.com. Unlike traditional terms of agreement, coworking offices provide more flexible contracts, making working from home a much more viable option. Members can rent spaces on a month to month basis with built-in flexibility for expansion and contraction of membership seats
Given their flexibility, their approach to cleaning and implementation of new processes, as well as the internal structure of the space and easy options to change terms of agreement when augmenting with working remotely, flexible offices are smart choices considering the developing COVID-19 spread.
We are following the CDC’s updates and recommendations with regards to the coronavirus. Most importantly – if you are not feeling well, please stay home and take care of yourself! Our world needs to continue to work together keep our community healthy and safe.
