When the return to work seems imminent, Spaniards question whether or not their offices comply with the necessary security measures for a safe return. According to a study carried out by Johnson Controls, the lack of air quality inside buildings represents the main concern for 35% of Spaniards, while the remaining 31% fear that the building does not have an efficient protocol in case of contagion.
Work centers adapted to COVID-19: the concern of the Spanish
51% of those surveyed consider that buildings should provide quality air that prevents the spread of the virus, as the most important factor for returning to work. Second, 25% of them value the ability to control social distancing through solutions that alert when occupants are too close or spaces are too full.
“The return to work worries most Spaniards because they consider that their offices do not have the necessary structure to ensure the hygiene and safety of their employees,” said Pilar Toledo Castro, Marketing Business Partner for Iberia at Johnson Controls. “8% of respondents would like the installation of thermal imaging cameras that include temperature detection technology while a person is walking to allow contactless entry and exit and prevent the spread of infection. And on the other hand, 17% would like to see live maps that expose the state of sanitation, occupancy data and recommendations to move around the building safely.
Offices must offer shared spaces that are safe for each employee, which can also be implemented in a modular way, including a combination of hardware and software. “Integrated solutions such as OpenBlue Healthy Buildings that allow for intelligent equipment, digital sensors, security systems, cameras, monitors, analysis and powerful control panels and other connected devices”, adds Toledo Castro.
Among the main fears are the lack of adequate social distance (23%) and the lack of hygiene in the building (10%).
The human factor: the most anticipated
For 65% of Spaniards, reuniting with their co-workers is their greatest desire, after so many months without seeing each other physically, in addition to being able to return to work in a more professional and prepared environment (23%). And only 12% of Spaniards declared “being exhausted from working at home”.
And although the return seems to generate a feeling of greater stability and a return to normality, 48% understand telecommuting as a benefit that they would like to maintain and be able to combine with their workday. Although there is also 32% who would choose to telecommute every day.
