A New Way of Working

In the last article, we talked about how the new normality represents challenges and opportunities regarding how people and businesses have redesigned their modes of working; specifically, we mentioned four dimensions where people are rethinking their how they work:
a) In space
b) In time
c) In the mind of the worker and
d) In the structure and operation of the companies

In this article, we want to address the dimension of space, which may be the most directly impacted during this pandemic. In this dimension, we consider the house, the office, and commuting.

ABOUT THE HOUSE

Home became the safe place. What used to be a personal place and a place to rest, is now a space for work and recreation. This represents new challenges for employees and companies. The WeWorkRemotely.com site has produced a guide for employers looking to establish new protocols for recruiting and operating with personnel working remotely, of which the following recommendations stand out:

● Hire the right people, people who share values, above all.
● Focus on the new, remote onboarding process.
● Select the right tools for remote work.
● Encourage personal connections.
● Hold collaborators responsible.
● Always give recognition (kudos).
● Have fun between work hours.

Following the guide and these best practices for remote team management will create a virtual work environment that reduces employee turnover and maximizes productivity.

In terms of people's productivity, there are studies that make recommendations regarding ergonomics and conditions to strive for to ensure proper working environments at home. You can find these recommendations here.

IN THE OFFICE

Revolution is a suitable name for the stage that humanity is entering. The phrase, "renew or die" has never made so much sense, and taking action based on evidence will be the best weapon to achieve it. Companies should rethink the following aspects:

1. Distribution of their spaces.
2. Mechanisms of interaction of its employees.
3. Evaluate valuable options such as the home office.
4. Train your staff to make proper use of personal protective equipment.
5. Understand that although there are especially useful and valuable international requirements and standards, there are particularities of each that will represent additional challenges, which if not understood could put all staff at risk.
6. New ways to show affection and create a sense of belonging.

In addition to the above, the following points are suggested for consideration:

• Arrival and departure times in staggered schedules.
• In order to reduce the risk of contact and maintain social distance between staff, the schedules for entering the work center and the schedules for the use of the dining room will be temporarily modified, establishing them in an alternate and flexible manner to avoid overlap between employees.
• Development of an Occupational Health and Safety Committee.
• Dining room hours.
• Proper use of biodegradable waste.
• Consider "Work from Anywhere.”
• Office Sanitation Process.

DURING COMMUTING

One of the most delicate points in the security chain for company employees is the transfer from home to office and vice versa. Although the home and office are considered the most "controlled" spaces, the transfers between both places are characterized by being little cared for. This situation is aggravated when traditional public transport services are used.

In transport with poorly controlled environments, the probability of contagion increases significantly.
Various studies and publications attempt to establish less risky protocols for the use of mass public transport. In general, the suggested measures include:

• Routine disinfection.
• Social distancing.
• Efficient communications to avoid unnecessary trips and interactions.
• Contact-tracking technology for passengers.
• Follow-up in case of contagion.
• Reservation systems and demand control.
• Adjustments in services to avoid crowding.
• Improved connectivity for healthcare providers and other essential workers
• Shifting passenger traffic from public transportation to other modes.

However, the challenge is the population's rejection of mass public transport. These systems have yet to demonstrate that they will be able to implement effective social distancing and health protection measures.

A recent study carried out in Bogota by the NUMO Alliance and Fundación Despacio shows how people will tend to choose new forms of mobility before opting for large crowds on public transport.

On the other hand, in a recent survey of more than 1,500 URBVAN users in Mexico City, it was found that in terms of their wishes:

1. Health policies are a priority, along with punctuality and comfort.
2. Although price is still important, it is no longer relevant compared to other requirements.
3. In addition to the need for speed, comfort and security (crime), hygiene and sanitation are important.

According to the above, the use of transportation with controlled mitigation measures would become a basic need within the operation of companies.

Some biosecurity measures implemented by Urbvan have been:

During boarding
Distance between users.
Temperature measurement of each user.
Access control with cover.

During trip
Use of windows for natural ventilation.
Communication of good practices inside the vehicle.
Signage inside the vehicle.
Protocol for attention to symptoms during the journey.

About the Hosts (Drivers)
Identify high-risk personnel.
Mandatory use of safety equipment (mask and face shield).
Management of host and user waste.
Daily validation to work.
Protocol in case of contagion from a host.
Risks of collaborators.
Support for sick hosts.

About the cleaning of the vans
Sanitizing between each trip.
Weekly in-depth sanitization.
Ventilation of the unit.
Sanitization protocol in units with confirmed cases of COVID.

In our next article, we will look at the changes in time, the mind of the worker and the organizational structure of companies.