I Have a Problem

I have a problem.

No, not the lay back and tell me all about it or keep applying the ointment type of problem. More a concerned teacher realising the class aren’t fully grasping the exercise they’ve been set, type of problem… and it’s been annoying me for the entire duration of the lockdown.

Working within the architectural and workspace design industry, as I have done almost my entire working life, I’ve been able to participate in and observe the benefits of thoughtful and considered design on people’s well-being. But that creativity and thoughtfulness would not just appear to be in lockdown but in full-on solitary confinement.

As we get closer to emerging from a protracted attempt to beat the deadly pandemic through isolation, thoughts on how the workplace will need to be altered to maintain an element of separation and an increased level of hygiene have filled the pages of industry blogs and social media platforms. Its these thoughts, suggestions and hastily produced solutions that are the cause of my concern.

There is a phrase that I believe sums up my own thoughts on the situation. Self–serving bias. In this case it describes the tendency we have to act in ways that advance self-interest. The problem is it blinds us to the fact it is prejudiced in our own favour.

During these difficult times and continued so-called distancing, most of the constantly offered solutions have been ill considered and quite frankly laughable. It’s not about applying a temporary add-on to the existing workplace landscape, its about starting from the ground up. Its about re-assessing and understanding the wants, needs and desires of the workforce, not to apply some bolt-on temporary screening hastily cobbled together by a panicked workplace furniture manufacturer to make a quick buck.

The overriding solutions (or in reality… solution, singular, as everyone is either just sharing the same posts or copying the same designs) is based on the assumption that work place functions will largely be as they were. Therefore the outcomes are akin to trainer wheels on a child’s bike. They are an obvious add-on, they do a basic job; although do fail when pushed too far and once the fledgeling rider understands how to cycle, they are then completely surplus to requirements and collect dust at the back of the shed.

And that’s all these glorified sneeze screen solutions and one-way signs would be, knee jerk reaction, basement dust collectors and future landfill content. All these current short and medium term suggestions will very quickly become redundant. I have no doubt that what is being suggested is well-intentioned and the focus is rightly on the health and safety of all, but we need to think beyond that box that was the pre-isolation workplace.

Each business should evaluate what its staff do and how they do it. You would be amazed at just how many businesses don’t know this basic information. This, and the continued monitoring of the processes and protocols will form the strategy behind its future design and layout and in turn, assist its employees to best undertake their daily tasks.

So much is still to be understood and clarified about how a phased return to work will be achieved. In the meantime, let’s take this moment to re-evaluate what we do, how we would prefer to do it and how that can be done in a safe, sensible and where practical, a future-proofed way.