Giving 100% to work

Work from home or work from the office, our job demands our 100%. (I’ll be using the acronyms WFH and WFO for the rest of this blog if need be). Though we all might have got used to the WFH culture, somewhere within, the thought of revisiting the office, a change of routine excites us! Many of us would have already gotten back to the office-going life.

While we all hold the government and our employers responsible for our safety post-COVID-situation, the onus is also on us to ensure the same.

What Must We Do?

As the offices are gradually opening, the administration/management is making sure that the office space is decontaminated and disinfected. However, it is also on us to give our 100% to our work and sanitization. We must-

• Avoid as much physical contact as possible. The basic mannerisms like shaking hands, sharing food, etc., that were earlier considered fine gestures, are now not much advisable.
• Always wear a mask while stepping out – from home to office, from cubicle to washroom or cafeteria, to meeting spaces, or back home. It is also essential to carry an extra mask along. Carry a zip-lock pack to keep your mask when you are not wearing it.
• Ensure your office bag has all the essentials. It should include tissues, face wipes, handkerchiefs, water bottles, mugs, paper soap, comb, stationery items like pens, pencils, notepads, etc. You must also carry your phone charger and power bank to avoid borrowing such things from your colleagues.
• Maintain basic hygiene. This specifically applies when you use places like restrooms, changing rooms, cafeterias, or gyms.
• Cough or sneeze with your mouth covered with a handkerchief or flexed elbow.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose.
• Try a staggered approach in going for lunch and tea breaks. All together will eliminate the possibility of maintaining physical distancing.
• Follow the guidelines issued by your office on COVID-19 precautions.
• Avoid activities that require social gatherings. Prefer virtual meetings over offline meetings in a room.
• Carry a handy bottle of sanitizer with you at all times.
• If you are commuting using your personal vehicle, make sure you disinfect your vehicle as well. This would essentially mean sanitizing the most-touched parts, including door handle, door, dashboard, steering wheel, gear, seat, and seat belt in case of a car. A similar process applies to two-wheelers or other vehicles. (Please see our section for other precautions on commuting).
• While in the office, sanitize your hands immediately after touching any high-touch point like lift button, taps, doors and doorknobs, stair handrail, etc.
• Before starting your day, disinfect your seat, desk, laptop/desktop, mouse, keyboard, etc.
• Maintain physical distancing wherever possible.
• Use the cashless mode of transactions wherever possible on your way or in the office.
• Wash and disinfect your hands, wash your face, disinfect your mobile phone, and change your clothes when you reach back home from the office.
• Try and get yourself vaccinated as early as possible.
• Take a leave or stay back and work from home if you feel sick or observe any other symptoms. If a similar situation occurs while in office, maintain distance from others and return home after informing your manager or colleagues.
• Employees who have a pre-existing medical condition or pregnant women should take special care of themselves. Carry all your medications or precautionary things along.
• Talk to your colleagues/management if you feel any type of discomfort or uneasiness at the workplace.

Important guidelines recommended by Dr. Jayant Thakuria, senior consultant, Internal Medicine Fortis Escorts Faridabad, while commuting:

• Two people traveling in a car should sit in the front and back respectively, following a criss-cross pattern.
• Try to travel alone on a two-wheeler to ensure proper distancing.

P.S. these instructions are specifically important if the case count or risk of infection in your area is high.

Being a little cautious and following the precautionary measures will ensure you and your colleagues’ safety, enabling you to give your complete to work.

We wish you a safe and happy working environment!

Avani Raj Arora