Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1414667
8 I ICT TODAY WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO RETURN PEOPLE TO WORKPLACES AND CAMPUSES? The tectonic shift from the office to working from home, and from on-campus learning to remote learning that characterized the year 2020 and most of 2021, is reversing. Heavy restrictions are returning to normal, and for many that means going back to physical offices and campuses. Still, there will be those who are comfortable and want to stay with the remote model. FIGURE 1: Example of a room design that can help keep people healthy from transmittable germs and pathogens that can cause and spread illnesses. Meeting room seating is capped to reduce crowding. Cubicles are making a comeback, displacing once-trendy open office spaces. Many stakeholders see quantifiable advantages in keeping a remote or hybrid model for the long term. Employers and school administrators can reduce facility costs by downsizing, shrinking utility and cleaning service needs, and even vacating leased buildings. They can attract employees and students from anywhere with no need for costly relocation assistance packages. By not having to commute, employees and students save money and time, and they experience less travel stress. Those with children can eliminate outside childcare expenses and avoid having to rush at the end of the day to pick up kids. Unfortunately, there are some industries that cannot take advantage of remote work. For example, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and food distribution facilities not only require in-person attendance, but also stringent cross-contamination health protocols. Employers and school administrators know they must provide a safe workplace. Health and safety well-being programs, such as ergonomic evaluations, hazmat training, and fire evacuation training, are nothing new. However, these programs now contain new sections dealing with actions required to prevent the spread of illness (e.g., masking, social distancing) and stringent health protocols (e.g., mandating people stay home and report if they do not feel well). Office and classroom layouts are changing to implement social distancing, leading to reduced capacity (Figure 1).