Companies have started planning out strategies to bring workers back into the office space. With millions of employees working from home for the majority of the year now, how can organizations ensure that their workspace is safe?

According to a study from workplace design consultancy firm Space Matrix and design company Interior Architects, the best method is to focus on flexibility and hygiene when creating a post-pandemic workspace.

The report called ‘A Changed World: What Happens When We Return to the Office Survey’ found that 63% and 60% in the US and Asia, respectively, believed it was essential to start with a phased re-entry system in order to ease workers into this new normal.

“What must employers do to ensure safe environments whilst building resilient workplace cultures, social capital and continued innovation? How do employers leverage their organisational strengths to engage employees and guide the change — whatever new workplace strategies take form,” said Su-San Tan, Director at Workplace Strategy & Insights. “The emphasis will be on where and how work is done and how technology will augment creation and innovation, emerging as a key enabler in the future workplace scenario.”

Additionally, the survey found that respondents missed the face-to-face interactions the most. Overall, despite cultural differences, the responses to the current state of working were very similar among most respondents.