From one-way systems and regular temperature checks, to new shift patterns and personal protective equipment, life in the office is likely to look very different as workplaces seek to get staff back in as lockdown regulations are eased.

And many employers secretly admit it could be months before anything approaching a full return is possible - and many could find themselves still working remotely at Christmas.

While thousands of us have got used to working from makeshift offices at home, bosses around the county are now having to plan just how to get staff back into offices to allow the cogs of the local economy to start turning once again.

The challenges are considerable however.

With social distancing likely to be a way of life until a vaccine is widely available, some of the county's biggest employers admit to some sweeping changes to how workplaces will look and feel.

There is also the additional stumbling block of ongoing staff absences as households continue to be asked to isolate if any member displays symptoms, as well as concerns for workers venturing back into the workplace if they live with someone on the vulnerable or shielded list - not to mention the perennial issue of childcare. An issue unlikely to be resolved for many as schools only reopen to limited pupils and for limited hours.

BAE Systems is one of the leading global defence, security and aeronautical firms. It normally employs around 1,500 people at its site in Rochester. But since the lockdown, around 1,000 are now working remotely. It has already introduced a string of measures to make workplaces safe for the staff who continue to work on site.

Site executive, Simon Mutter, explained: “The safety of our employees is our number one priority and we have followed government guidelines to introduce a range of measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those working on site.

"This includes regular risk assessments, the introduction of social distancing protocols, an enhanced cleaning regime and deployment of additional sanitising stations, as well as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary. We are also in the process of trialling thermal imaging technology to check people’s temperature.

“Our staff have adapted extremely well to the changes that we have had to make. We will continue to follow government advice and take into consideration safety measures and the thoughts of our employees before inviting more of our workforce back onto the facility.”

The government has insisted all workplaces - whether in retail or offices - conform to new Covid 19 Secure regulations before ushering staff or customers back in.

These include a host of measures which will almost inevitably force employers into having to stagger the working day in order to avoid large numbers of staff arriving in buildings at the same time and during the day to "manage occupancy levels to ensure social distancing".

Other suggestions include ensuring workstations are two metres apart and, where not possible, screens installed to separate colleagues. Hand sanitiser must be available and regular cleaning will be required as well as a reduction in use of hot desks unless absolutely necessary (and only then with thorough cleaning in between users).

And while we have all become familiar with video conferencing calls, the recommendation is they continue to replace face-to-face meetings for the foreseeable future. Other guidance suggests where they must take place, they do so "outside or in well-ventilated rooms" in addition to social distancing.

"We don't have any concrete plans about our return to the office despite it potentially soon being allowed," says Luke Quilter, CEO of search and social marketing agency, Sleeping Giant Media, based in Folkestone. "But we know it won't be anywhere close to the same that it once was.

"We believe the office function will likely change for us, and businesses similar. Rather than how it was a couple of months ago, we envisage it won't be your 9-5 office life any more. More a central hub for business.

"It's likely we will allow our team of 60 to choose what they want to do. Working remotely has worked really well and we know we can continue this now. But there will be some instances, such as meetings where going into the office will be mandatory - assuming it is safe to do so. Therefore, an office will always play a part in the future of our company, but not in a similar guise to that prior to lockdown."

For our major employers, trying to wrestle with the practicalities of getting staff back in situ is one which is causing plenty of sleepless nights. Not to mention the additional costs introducing the new measures will incur at a time of dramatically reduced revenues.

Our major councils have maintained a range of services with many staff on the frontline in the delivery of vital facilities during the lockdown.

But now the thoughts are turning to just how to get staff back into their administrative hubs - eventually.

A spokesman for Kent County Council explained: “The safety and health of all our staff and residents remains KCC’s priority at this time and we are extremely proud of the extraordinary efforts staff have made to keep services running over the last few months, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Like any business, we are closely monitoring the easing of restrictions and reviewing our service requirements, plans and future working arrangements in the short and longer terms.

“Our infrastructure team are working with colleagues across the organisation to establish how and when teams can access our buildings to support service delivery, and there will be more communication with staff on this over the coming weeks. In the meantime, staff who are able to work from home are continuing to do so.

“In all of our conversations and decisions around getting staff back into their places of work we will, at every step, be closely following government and public health guidelines.”

It's a similar picture for Medway Council.

Its chief executive Neil Davies said: “I am incredibly proud of how well council officers have responded to the coronavirus pandemic.

"As a category one responder, the council has continued to provide key services during the crisis.

"We are looking into a range of options, and consulting with staff, on how best to welcome people back into our buildings, once it is safe to do so. We have more than 100 buildings and we will ensure that all of our offices are Covid-19 compliant before staff return to these buildings to work. This is a complex task but it is of paramount importance to ensure the safety of both staff and members of the public who come into our buildings.”

The non-committal aspects are understandable.

The reality is that as we emerge from the lockdown we are emerging into unchartered territory; a fine balancing act of ensuring the safety of staff - many of whom will remain highly anxious over a return to their workplace - and the government guidance to ensure the economy begins to purr again to lessen the impact of the inevitable recession which lurks around the corner.

While no-one will publicly admit to it, many are facing a reality of having at least a large chunk of their workplace working remotely for much of this year. Understandably, no-one is in a big rush to get staff out of the relative safety of their homes.

A return to what we once knew is not on the horizon just yet - with many privately saying it will not be until the end of the year if not into 2021 - and that will rely on a breakthrough in either the treatment or prevention of the spread of the virus.

Adds Jo James, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, which represents firms around the county: "Many workplaces will find it very difficult; not many will have sufficient space to be able to have social distancing.

"Some can just carry on working from home, but some of our manufacturing and other outlets won't be able to abide so will have to have shift rotas, so production is cut, revenues are cut. That's a very difficult one.

"You won't have to have everyone in the office, five days a week, 8.30am to 5.30pm. We'll see a more flexible work force and that is a more productive workforce.

"Providing we don't all just go back into the trenches there are tools which can really maximise and build on the digital skills we've all learnt."

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