The idea is that you dont breathe at someone face to face no less than 2m apart.  This is now likely to change to either 1m or 1.5m in the next week i suspect.  Think about increasing airflow maybe to disipate more, open windows, fans, air con etc.  Stagger seating so they sre no behind someone but 1 seat to the side (remember, diagonally is longer distance)

Hi all thanks for the replies. Yes, we are obviously trying to face people away from one another or side by side in preference. A zig zag will not aide us unfortunately due to door way positions and general room features and allowing a good walkway through the office. It is an office in Wales so will lag behind England in any changes to distancing.

We are hoping to bring people back from home working as although some are happy with-it others are working from kitchen tables etc. Although workstation set up is ok general positioning in house not conducive and they would like to return. It was ok for a while but not long term. We would buy them desks and chairs etc but they don’t have the room.

Yes, the person behind coughing was part of our discussion, along with if someone did cough at someone’s back over 2m away, would it be any different in sitting on a train seat for instance. Unfortunately, people cough for a variety of other reasons other than Covid-19, Hay fever, dust allergies, perfume allergies, smokers etc and they could just be asymptomatic.

So, when considering options with another manager we wished to understand all the options and this set up of one behind the other was specifically mentioned. I could not find any particular views online of this scenario though.

It is therefore this scenario I’m interested in specifically, any guidance that I could be pointed to would be great or people views on if they would or would not accept it and if not why.

Chris

 Hot desking is part of of our workplace for us, and I suspect others will have the same arrangement as we have fewer workstations than staff.

We have a staff cleaning regime, before you start and when you leave wipe down all work surfaces you plan to use or have used. Do not leave anything on the desk. Cleaners in throughout the day wiping down touchpoints such as doors and bannisters

Yes, we are aware of all the things mentioned above and implemented it where applicable, but trying to get as many people back as possible (getting Perspex sheet is a little tricky at the moment apparently). The more we can get back in that can not continue to work from home the greater numbers of jobs that may be saved. You always end up with the question that if we have managed without someone can we continue to do so once furlough ends.

So, no information on the actual question about sitting facing the back of another person 2m away, school desk style. I guess in schools they have changed this to the Zig Zag as Kate mentions, so despite not in guidance it is considered not acceptable (In schools anyway).

Thanks for the input everyone.

Chris

Originally Posted by: t.singh1

I believe one of the best ways to prevent transmission has nothing to do with furniture or layout; slowing the spread comes from letting potentially sick workers stay home with pay so they don’t feel pressured to come into work.

I quite agree, however when any organisation manages without the services of some of their employees (furloughed) then the powers that be start to question if they are absolutely necessary for the business. Some people who we are happy for them to work at home, are finding that they don’t have the room to work like that comfortably for any extended period of time, and may choose to leave.

Either way I am trying to allow those who we are happy working from home to stay that way. However, for the others I’m trying to get them back for their comfort and so they don’t have a target written on their backs as being unnecessary. Having said that I only want them back if safe (enough as nothing is perfect) to do so. I also want wat is best for the company survival, and if that means getting rid of dead wood so be it, for the majority to remain employed and business not go bust. I was therefore exploring all my options for room layout, and I understand fully the other issues mentioned.

Guidance has work side by side and back to back, not face to face. Ok I get that but have ignored the option (school desk type layout) of Face to back while maintaining 2m distancing.

As no one else obviously has this condition which I find a little odd, and nothing to say one way or another, then I can’t be wrong whatever I decide (can I?).

I think Roundtuit had it with I would want to be the one at the back of the room personally. I’m surprised that there are no views on this as people on here normally have very definite views on everything known to man / woman kind, but hay we are all busy.

Have a good weekend

Chris

Edited by user 12 June 2020 11:10:11(UTC)  | Reason: added words