Workers will see changes at the door as Michiganders return to office jobs

(WXYZ) — There are still many empty parking lots outside office buildings around metro Detroit with businesses playing it safe during the pandemic.

Once workers head back, they’ll notice changes starting at the door.

Over at CG Detroit, once you hit the door you get a temperature check and a spritz of hand sanitizer.

The Vehicle Graphics and Custom Signage business has rope partitions and is clearly marked with social distancing stickers, the signage produced by their own employees.

“First and foremost, I think there was a lot of nervousness within our agencies and many others, you know, what is the work.. Is there going to be work for us to do?" said Jason Weiss of CG Detroit.

Senior VP Jason Weiss says it’s kept employees working, able to create a product for their own safety and that also benefits other companies.

Like the cubicle guard, he says was made to prevent COVID-19’s transmission.

“I think the goal of it was to provide our employees a certain level of safety that while they’re sitting there doing their space, there’s that barrier between the two employees for sure," said Weiss. "We also wanted it to be a very attractive solution that kept the office looking like a nice high end environment.”

Systems X in Chesterfield Township is taking a high-tech approach.

“This was actually a team effort. We wanted to make sure all of our employees got together and said what are we gonna do to make that we’re going to be comfortable and feel safe," said Michael Brattain of Systems X.

Michael Brattain says about half of the employees of the cybersecurity firm are working from home. The other half come into the office on alternating days.

Employees enter by touchless keypad and have access to sanitizer and wipes throughout the building. But the conference room is now off limits.

There's temperature checks and visitors answer a COVID-19 questionnaire in the lobby.

But perhaps, the most interesting feature – the robot – allowing remote workers to navigate the office and interact.

“It’s hard to predict what the new future is going to be," said Michael Brattain. "I think that we’re looking at this whole new 'workforce 2.0', and I think these precautions are always going to be put in place.”

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