Cushman & Wakefield already has a social distancing office concept in development

The “6 Feet Office” would minimize close contact between employees

Cushman & Wakefield Netherlands’ head Jeroen Lokerse
Cushman & Wakefield Netherlands’ head Jeroen Lokerse

Cushman & Wakefield’s Netherlands branch has drawn up a workplace concept meant to maintain the social distancing measures that are likely to stick around for a while — either formally or informally — after the immediate threat of coronavirus subsides.

The “6 Feet Office” concept offers a look at what could be the “new normal” of the workplace in the near future. The concept is meant to normalize the six-foot distancing standard that’s been widely adopted in response to the pandemic.

“Eventually, we will all return to work, but we must not forget this golden rule,” the marketing material reads.

The core of the concept is in laying out desk spaces to comply with the six foot rule and directing flow around the office in a clockwise manner so there aren’t office traffic jams. Employees would be provided with paper deskpads to minimize contamination of work areas.

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Promotional materials shows the use of colored flooring to denote safe distances as well as traffic flow stickers to direct people around the office.
Cushman & Wakefield would also train an employee to essentially oversee implementation and a certificate to show that an office complies with the guidelines.

Whether their employers adopt Cushman’s concept or not, office workers are likely to see a lot more hand sanitizer at work as well as rules limiting the number of people allowed to gather in elevators and meeting rooms.

RXR Realty’s Scott Rechler thinks that some companies might have employees come in to the office in alternating groups to reduce exposure.
Remote work is likely to become a far more normal part of daily life as well.