The country remains in lockdown as Ireland continues to try to curb the spread coronvirus.
Following the Taoiseach's announcement that restrictive measures would remain in place until May 5, businesses nationwide have been changing how they operate amid the crisis - with thousands of people now working from home.
But as EU leaders continue to meet to discuss how to ease lockdowns across Europe it's possible that restrictions could be altered in the coming months.
Here's how offices and work premises can implement social distancing once restrictive measures are eased:
Rotating shifts
A good way too reduce the number of people in the office is to allow flexible work hours or reduce work hours so that fewer employees are on location at any given time.
Many companies already have a large chunk if not all of their staff working from home, so it may be a good idea to slowly phase in how people return to the office while retaining employees working at home.
Virtual meetings
Since the initial outbreak virtual meetings have become the norm in both professional and personal lives.
And while some staff may return to their offices, there is no reason not to keep the tradition going to keep the number of people in one room down while you discuss business.
Apps like Zoom, Skype and Google Hangouts all offer excellent services that can still be used as frequently as they are now during lockdown.
Social etiquette
As the weeks go on we are all continuing to alter our behaviour in order to maintain a physical distance from eachother.
Social norms have been changed which employers can continue to encourage in the coming months.
These can include:
- Implementing a no-visitor policy . Allow only authorized employees into the office during this time.
- Greet without physical contact. Encourage employees to avoid handshakes and hugs while greeting and interacting with colleagues.
- Increase awareness around the two meter rule by Encourage employees to maintain six feet or two meters (two- to three-arm’s length) from other employees when possible.
Change the layout of the office
Changing the layout of the office could be a simple but practical way of adhreing to social distancing.
Ensuring that employees aren't sitting too close to eachother in open plan offices or allow some staff to use other vacant desks that will allow them to keep a distance.
If there are low or no cubicle walls, employers can add or supplement dividers to create a higher physical barrier between staff to reduce the spread of infectious droplets due to a sneeze or cough.
