As governments around the world ease their lockdowns, businesses must decide how, when, and if to return their employees to offices. Most companies are realizing that back to the office will not mean back to normal. And as they prepare to restart their operations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it is important that they understand the concerns and expectations their employees have for returning to the office so that they can do so in a safe and efficient manner.
The fact is, the vast majority of workers around the world remain anxious about heading back to the office and want to be sure that they are not putting themselves or their families at risk. According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Citrix, 64 percent of 2,000 U.S. workers polled said they would not feel comfortable returning for one month or more. And 3 percent said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their approach to work and that they don’t ever want to go back full time.
Prepare for the Next Normal
Historically, the office was the place where collaboration and innovation happened. Outside meeting spaces, colleagues held casual conversations in hallways, cafeterias, and gyms. But protocols designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus have changed this. Physical office spaces must now be configured to allow for social distancing. Employee schedules have to be revised to reduce the number of people in buildings at one time. Employees are required to be screened before they enter the premises. And visitors may not be allowed.
Many employees simply don’t want to deal with the hassle and anxiety associated with all of this. But there are some things companies can do to minimize both. And Citrix is here to help.
Citrix has been powering flexible and secure work models for more than 400,000 global organizations within our digital workspace for more than three decades, ensuring that employees have all of the tools and resources they need to be and do their best wherever they happen to be — at home, in the office, or on the road. And we’re putting our experience to use to help our customers navigate the unchartered waters that COVID-19 has set them sailing in.
Deliver a Superior Employee Experience with Safety and Wellness in Mind
With Citrix Workspace, companies can provide a consistent work experience that allows employees to perform at their best. And we’ve just launched new back-to-office microapp capabilities within the workspace that organizations can use to address safety and health in the office environment and simply and efficiently manage vital tasks associated with re-opening offices, including:
- Conducting employee readiness surveys
- Identifying and managing the moments that matter most to employees upon returning to the workplace, such as where they will sit or how team and customer meetings will be handled
- Executing safety protocols
- Performing health screenings and self-certifications
- Managing occupancy to ensure social distancing
- Location mapping and contact tracing
- Designing communications strategies
Accommodate Changing Work and Lifestyles
Organizations are fast embracing these new capabilities to meet the changing needs of their employees and customers. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, City National Bank of Florida (CNB) had to scale back physical operations at banking center locations to protect its employees, clients, and the communities it serves.
“As we prepare to fully reopen these locations, it is critical that people feel safe,” said Ariel Carrion, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, City National Bank of Florida. “The new microapp capabilities within Citrix Workspace will help us manage safety protocols on an ongoing basis and instill the confidence and trust of our employees and clients.”
Build the Office of the Future
Longtime Citrix partner Hewlett Packard Enterprise is on board, as well. The company intends to use the microapp capabilities within its Intelligent Workspace solution to enable employees to quickly and easily complete tasks associated with returning to offices across key areas:
- Employee Wellness: Complete health agreements stating no symptoms of COVID-19 prior to arriving at office
- Smart Social Distancing: Access maps and occupancy information for different parts of the building, reserve conference rooms, and hot desks
- Workplace Safety: Confirm that shared spaces in building have been cleaned
- Workplace PPE: Locate personal protective equipment and sanitation stations
In addition, Citrix and HPE will work together to customize engagements that allow for:
- Touchless Offices: Employees can influence IoT connected building systems from their own devices
- Touchless and Smart Social Distancing: Through integration with video analytic platforms, employees can manage contactless visitor signup and building entry
“COVID-19 has challenged businesses to respond to the crisis quickly and rethink their workforce strategies in real time,” said Saadat Malik, Vice President for IoT and Intelligent Edge Services at HPE. “HPE’s Intelligent Workplace solution is designed to help companies engage and enable employees; attract and retain talent; and ensure safety and security while controlling workplace costs. Citrix is one of the partners that HPE is working very closely with to enhance existing solutions with components that are tailor made for COVID-19 response.”
There is no blueprint for safely returning employees to the office. But with the right technology and insights, companies can create a path to drive their business forward. To this end, Citrix has launched a back-to-office resource center where companies can access technology demonstrations alongside templates and best practice processes, including those used by Citrix to create environments in which employees are protected and can thrive. Visit the center and begin your journey to the next normal.
