A new innovation in Singapore offers workers who are still afraid to go back to their offices a means to work away from home without having to be in contact with other people.
Overseas expansion is in the picture as well, which is exciting for countries where working in offices is not yet advisable amid the pandemic
WHILE a lot of people enjoy working from home, there are also people who don’t.
After all, it is isolating to stay in an apartment 24/7. Extroverts most especially, would rather interact with their colleagues face-to-face.
On top of the isolation that staying at home to work, eat, and sleep brings, the new mode of meetings through Zoom could be draining, especially if working already entails you to be in front of the computer the entire day.
In Singapore, a new innovation answers the prayers of all those who are dreading having to work from home but are too afraid to go back to the office amid the pandemic.
In shopping malls, they’ve rolled out the pay-by-the-minute booth.
Pay-by-minute office booths from BBC
These innovative pods cost approximately $3 per hour, and were created by a company called Switch.
Although they’ve been around for a couple of years in Japan, it has not reached worldwide recognition for it to be copied in different countries.
In the desk in a pod, a reasonably-sized work space includes Wi-Fi connection, a fan, hand sanitizer, a desk, a chair, and an overhead light that isn’t too bright but isn’t too dull as well.
The gray and white colors of the tables and walls save for a few orange posters make the booth bright yet not too distracting.
Ultimately, the company banks on the idea that people are getting tired of working from their rooms.
This affordable option gives them the opportunity to work away from home without having to be in contact with other people given the pandemic.
The company currently has more than 60 booths in Singapore, and it aims to have more booths built around the country.
Overseas expansion is in the picture as well, which is exciting for countries where working in offices is not yet advisable amid the pandemic.
Companies from all over the world are beginning to be more creative in terms of allowing the workforce to thrive amid the threats of Covid-19.
While these new pods are an exciting innovation, its cleanliness is also questionable given that no one is there to man the booths and clean them up after use.
One more additional feature could be putting a disinfectant mist machine to be used after each and every customer, to ensure that the booth is clean for the next person to use.
This way, the risk of being infected with Covid-19 when touching the booth surfaces is diminished.
Such a booth could be beneficial in the Philippines as an alternative to coffee shops that could be dangerous given its enclosed space.
While this, too, is an enclosed pod, the risk of contamination lessens as it is for the use of one person only. (MO)
Tags: #Singapore, #officebooths, #Switch, #workfromhome