DSM Forward Returning to Work

The Greater Des Moines Partnership DSM Forward webinar series offers insight on moving the Greater Des Moines (DSM) region forward in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. As plans are made and businesses reopen, The Partnership has put together resources for employers at DSMpartnership.com/DSMForward.

The “DSM Forward: Returning to Work” webinar focuses on the prepping office spaces and potential layouts in workplaces. Partnership Executive Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives Mike Colwell speaks with Marta Codina, region president at Wells Fargo, Annette Adams, associate vice president of human resources at Nationwide, and Amy Friedrich, president of US insurance solutions at Principal Financial Group, to get their thoughts on employees returning to the workplace.

The three speakers also highlight the importance of making work environments safe for their employees and customers through various means, such as limiting delivery and operation capacity.

Prepping the Office

Friedrich says that the employees she has seen come back in the office recently are happy to be working with better Wi-Fi and consistent access to technology if their work-from-home situations were unreliable. Principal is screening those who have come back to work in the office and is ensuring good sanitation measures are in place. Adams says Nationwide seniority returns to the office next week. Communication is at the forefront, including a meeting that will go over requirements of returning to the office. In terms of building prep, Nationwide has signage for employees as soon as you walk in the door and throughout the building with guidelines listed. Codina explains that Wells Fargo is tracking necessary equipment for each branch. With more than 5,000 branches across the country, each one must have proper cleaning supplies. Each branch is also cleaned by crews three times per day, while customers have transitioned to leveraging digital services during this time.

Layout of Office Space

Friedrich says that Principal is trying to be clear about which areas are open and which are not. They are urging employees to work in the same spaces continuously. In terms of the office, she says that employee surveys have shown workers like a hybrid option of working-from-home and returning to the physical workplace. Codina says conversations around bank spaces are focused on social distancing measures as a permanent modification. Adams says they are looking at ways to get creative. For instance, flexibility in the hybrid working model will allow staff to get assigned work stations for the days they are in the office.

See the entire webinar below:

 

 

 

Learn how to help your business navigate the effects of COVID-19 here. Principal also offers resources including the three stages of returning to work, a return-to-worksite checklist and an acknowledgement agreement. See COVID-19 resources at the links below:

• Nationwide
• Principal Financial Group
• Wells Fargo

You can count on The Partnership to continue to share accurate and fact-based updates as well. See more on COVID-19 here.