7 ways office life is different during COVID-19 pandemic

The office you once knew is likely to look vastly different during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Companies are taking some of the seven steps below to keep people safe and apart:
1. Companies are staggering shifts or asking people to come in on alternating days.
2. Cubicles may also have higher walls or there may be new partitions between desks for added protection.
3. Masks will be required, especially when not at the desk.
MORE: 6 FAQs regarding the use of masks in the workplace from OSHA

4. Kitchens, conference rooms and other common areas may be closed.
5. Some offices have implemented one-way paths to keep people from passing each other.
6. For essential shared spaces, like elevators and bathrooms, face coverings could be required and there may be more frequent cleanings and limits on how many people can enter at one time.
7. Companies may also ask employees to report if they are having any symptoms.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidelines on keeping offices safe. But the specific measures at your office will vary depending on the company and any local rules. In the latest phase of New York state’s reopening plan, for example, office capacity is capped at 50%.
The pandemic may also prompt changes that aren’t directly about safety. At Bergmeyer, a design firm in Boston, the lights were adjusted to make Zoom calls look better.
A report by the Associated Press contributed to this guide.