Most Employers in CBRE Study Favor Phased Return to Workplace, Adding Touchless Tech, Restricting Visitors

CBRE Analysis Across Globe Shows Many Companies Have Implemented

Return-to-Work Guidelines Stricter Than Local Government Requirements

Most companies included in an analysis by CBRE plan to take a gradual, cautious approach to bringing employees back to their workplaces as governments begin to lift  restrictions tied to COVID-19.

Roughly half of the 203 company operations that CBRE studied across the globe are implementing touchless technology to enhance cleanliness. Most are following social-distancing standards. And most will provide their employees with face coverings, though less than a third will require the covering be worn at all times in any company facility unless mandated by local authorities.

CBRE gathered its findings by surveying account leaders in its Global Workplace Solutions business, which manages facilities and real estate projects for large companies. The surveyed account leaders oversee client relationships spanning 4.2 billion square feet of workspace in offices, industrial & logistics real estate, tech space, data centers, retail, and healthcare used by more than 38 million workers. The analysis includes data collected as of May 4.

“Our analysis of our clients’ return-to-work strategies shows that virtually all are engaged in detailed planning to ensure a careful and reasoned approach,” said Karen Ellzey, Executive Managing Director of Consulting and global lead for CBRE’s COVID-19 response for occupier clients. “Most of these companies have established their own criteria for when to return to the workplace beyond local and state government requirements. And nearly three quarters plan to bring employees back in phases rather than all at once.”

Among the key findings in CBRE’s analysis:

• Social distancing: Forty-five percent of the companies will follow guidance from local governments and health agencies on social distancing in the workplace. Another 34 percent have set their own global standard that may exceed local guidance most typically requiring at least six feet or two meters of separation.
• Face Coverings: Fifty-nine percent of companies will provide face coverings for their employees. Twenty-eight percent of companies plan to require face coverings at all times at any company property. A larger portion – 42 percent – will require masks only at company facilities where mandated by local government or health-agency guidelines.
• Visitors: Only 21 percent of companies will allow visitors to the workplace in the early phases of reopening.
• Health screening: Forty-five percent will require off-site self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms by employees before they arrive at the workplace, while 13 percent will conduct screening of employees on-site at every facility. Of those allowing visitors, 35 percent will screen visitors on-site.
• Reopening timeline: Only 20 percent of companies intend to reopen as soon as government restrictions are lifted. A larger portion – 42 percent – will do so after their internal standards are met.
• Reopening approach: Seventy-two percent of companies will conduct a phased reopening with defined percentages or groups of employees admitted over weeks or months. Meanwhile, 52 percent expect to give employees the option to work from home for the foreseeable future – although this will vary widely by industry sector and type of operation.
• Space preparation: Among the most common steps companies have taken to prepare their workplaces include installing signage (82 percent), establishing space-use policies and guidelines for social distancing (78 percent), outlining social-distancing zones with floor decals and other reminders (74 percent), and reconfiguring furniture layouts (61 percent).
  
  

“With so many essential workers already performing their jobs at commercial properties, there is much that the industry is learning and adapting,” Ms. Ellzey said. “At the same time, companies must continually monitor local health conditions as they undertake further reopening efforts. Across the board, we see evidence that companies are taking a thoughtful, measured approach to reopening their work environments in a safe and methodical manner.”

All of CBRE’s COVID-19 related materials have been developed with information from the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (and similar global organizations), public health experts, industrial hygienists, and global subject matter experts across CBRE and our strategic suppliers. Our materials may not be suitable for application to all facilities or situations. Ultimately, occupiers and landlords must make and implement their own reopening decisions for their individual stakeholders and facilities. CBRE’s guidance is intended to help facilitate those discussions and expedite the implementation of those decisions once made by the client. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of these materials. CBRE cannot ensure safety and disclaims all liability arising from use of these materials.