Although recent surveys show that employees are eager to return to the office, they are also concerned about safety.

With the right work space survey questions, you can better understand their needs and expectations when they return to the office.

The survey will also give them a sense of control over their environment and show that you are concerned about their well-being.

Based on the latest data, we’ve compiled a list of questions that will help you gather the information you need to successfully reopen your office and create an even better workplace.

10 Essential Work Space Survey Questions for Employees

Your survey questions can be the starting point of regular check-ins with employees, especially in light of the mental health issues associated with the pandemic.

On a scale of 1-10, how safe do you feel about returning work within the next six months?

This question will help you take the temperature of how your employees are feeling overall, while the following questions will drill down on the specifics.

Select the answer that best describes your main concern about returning to the office:

1. Health and safety
2. Too many interruptions/better focus at home
3. Commute time
4. Less flexibility
5. None of the above. I have zero concerns about returning to work.

Which of the following best describes your primary reason for wanting to return to the office?

1. Collaborate more easily on projects
2. Socializing with my coworkers
3. Better access to equipment
4. Ability to build and maintain relationships with others
5. The environment is more conducive to productivity
6. None of the above. I wish to work remotely 100% of the time

Which of these policies and procedures are a must for you to feel comfortable working in-person again? Select all that apply:

1. Daily temperature checks prior to entering the office
2. Disinfecting stations with PPE such as masks and gloves, hand sanitizer, etc.
3. Contact tracing
4. Staggered workdays to keep office population low & allow for social distancing
5. Mandatory masks for all employees at all times except when eating or drinking
6. Separate and strict capacity regulations for the office, conference rooms and other enclosed areas
7. Daily disinfection of entire office
8. Other: 

What could we change about our office or business practices to make you feel safer and more productive at work, even after COVID is over? Check all that apply:

1. Touchless interfacing for faucets, door entries and exits
2. Relaxed, open areas for informal meetings and collaboration
3. Option for remote work to encourage people to stay home when ill
4. Workspace dividers for privacy, including sneeze guards on desks
5. Other: 

How important is it that we provide diversity and inclusion training related to COVID-19? Select one.

1. Very important
2. Important
3. Not important

How often do you want health, safety and other company updates from us?

1. Weekly
2. Monthly
3. Quarterly

During uncertain times, transparency through regular communication and health updates can alleviate anxiety about job security and workplace safety. It also ensures you are keeping remote workers in the loop.

Agree or Disagree: Our health insurance, including access to mental health services, consistently meets your needs.

1. Yes
2. No

Do your employees fully understand their benefits and how they work, such as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

Now is the time to address these concerns and educate your employees about what you already offer as well as evaluate any additions to your existing plans.

Which of the following supplementary health benefits would you like to see most?

1. Discount gym, fitness group, and yoga studio passes and memberships
2. Corporate health and wellness workshops on topics such as nutrition, meditation and stress management.
3. On-site fitness groups and classes
4. All of the above

One of the positive outcomes of COVID-19 is the increased mental and physical health awareness. Companies are using the lessons learned to create a more human-focused and healthy office environment.

If you could choose one day to work remotely moving forward, which would that be?

1. Mondays
2. Tuesdays
3. Wednesdays
4. Thursdays
5. Fridays
6. I wish to be remote 100% of the time

This question will help you figure out your work space needs. If you’re like many companies, you will use a hybrid approach that combines face to face and remote work.

As a result, you may need to rethink your office space. For example, a smaller office with various types of workstation dividers can help you to adapt to a fluctuating number of employees in the office on any given day while also cutting costs.

Creating a Return to Work Action Plan

After you’ve compiled the information from your work space survey questions, you need to take an honest look at your company and determine the next steps.

What policies and procedures do you need to develop and how will you communicate this to your employees? What tools, supplies and resources do you need to procure?

If this seems daunting, contact us to find out how we can help you reopen your office safely and effectively through an individualized COVID essentials plan.