Community-building is a cherished Irvine Company value, and COVID-19 is challenging the communities we’re part of like never before. We know that our actions impact many, which is why we consulted with UCI Health on a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to workplace wellness. Together, we believe that a key part of a healthy community is a healthy economy, and this starts with ensuring our customers feel confident returning to the workplace.
“Our customers expect the very best from us and we are committed to delivering on that,” says Mike Bennett, Senior Vice President, Operations. “With a strong plan in place, we felt it was essential to get independent, third-party validation. Irvine Company and the University of California, Irvine have a strong relationship going back to the University’s inception, so we turned to UCI Health as a trusted partner with a shared interest in a healthy community.”
Susan Huang, MD MPH, Professor of Infectious Diseases and UCI Health Medical Director for Epidemiology & Infection Prevention, and Linda Dickey, RN MPH CIC, UCI Health Senior Director for Epidemiology & Infection Prevention, and an expert in the built environment as it relates to disease prevention, personally reviewed Irvine Company’s workplace wellness plans. Dr. Huang and Ms. Dickey are both nationally and internationally recognized experts in infection prevention and are in charge of UCI Health protocols that protect the wellness of everyone in the building, making them uniquely qualified to examine Irvine Company’s approach.
As part of their thorough review, Dr. Huang, Ms. Dickey and the UCI Health team considered Irvine Company’s coronavirus-related health and safety plans and protocols, interviewed operations executives, conducted walk-throughs of Irvine Company office and corporate workplaces and ultimately validated Irvine Company’s wide-ranging safety efforts. UCI Health evaluated:
Preparation and Planning
Why it matters: For decades, innovative building systems and pristine environments have been part of Irvine Company’s workplace DNA. Healthy air, deep cleaning and touch-free solutions are built into every Irvine Company workplace. As a long-term planner, Irvine Company already had the building blocks in place for workplace wellness, including a Pandemic Response Plan that guided prompt, effective action.
UCI Health on Irvine Company’s approach to preparedness:
“Irvine Company already had a foundational plan for a general pandemic and they were adapting it according to the CDC guidance for this particular pandemic. But public health guidance has to be generalizable and Irvine Company was thinking about specific workplaces, the specific way those spaces are used, and we helped them refine their plan with that in mind. Irvine Company consulted with UCI Health on the measures they layered on top of the already existing plan to keep employees safe while maintaining active and successful business environments.”
Ventilation and Air Filtration Systems
Why this matters: Proper ventilation is a key component of indoor environment quality. Studies suggest poor ventilation has the potential to circulate COVID-19 within small spaces. Consistently changing indoor air with fresh, filtered air from outside can support wellness.
UCI Health on Irvine Company’s approach to ventilation:
“One thing that is really remarkable about Irvine Company is their investment in state-of-the-art ventilation systems, far in excess of the safety requirements for this pandemic and for office spaces in general.”
Outdoor Workspace
Why this matters: COVID-19 is spread through mostly invisible droplets that discharge into the nearby air. These droplets are more rapidly dispersed outdoors than in indoor environments because of natural air currents and general air dilution. Outdoor workspace can support everything from team meetings to new employee onboarding, and are an option for employees who may not be ready to be back in the office but would still like to connect in-person with coworkers.
UCI Health on Irvine Company’s approach to outdoor workspace:
“Irvine Company’s huge investment in functional outdoor spaces is one of their greatest assets in this pandemic. Irvine Company has created welcoming outdoor workspaces that can serve as a healthy collaborative environment for businesses. They have invested in shaded coverings and comfortable seating that allows for social distancing, and provided a variety of Wifi and outlet-accessible work surfaces to encourage productivity outdoors. With the final touch of maximizing the placement and number of hand sanitizing stations, and ensuring visible signage at all access points, this will be a welcomed environment for employees who have worked from home for long stretches.”
Workplace Wellness Protocols: Signage, Sanitation and Touch-Free Solutions
Why this matters: We all have a role to play in keeping our workplaces and communities healthy. Clear signage and easy access to wellness offerings, like hand sanitizer and touchless technology, makes it easier for everyone to make healthy choices.
UCI Health on Irvine Company’s approach to wellness protocols:
“Part of UCI Health’s consulting role is to not only assess, support, and improve employer protocols for a safe workplace, but to also ensure that signage encourages individual responsibility. For example, all workers should ensure that they clean their hands before rubbing their eyes or touching their face, mask, or glasses because the COVID-19 virus infects us through our eyes, nose, and open mouth. Break room design and signage is critical since this is the time of day that masks are removed to eat. Strategic reminders through well designed and well placed signage, direct-to-worker educational information, and optimal positioning of hand hygiene stations is a key way that Irvine Company is enabling safe return to work by encouraging adherence.”
Outdoor Space to Socialize
Why this matters: Extended time in small, shared spaces – like an employee break room – may increase the potential for COVID-19 transmission. Having safe spaces where colleagues can feel comfortable eating lunch or chatting over coffee supports the social ties that boost employee engagement and strengthen corporate culture.
UCI Health on Irvine Company’s approach to outdoor workspace:
“The riskiest part of any employee’s day is when they are eating. Not only does the mask come off, but people naturally are taking a break and want to let their guard down and relax with friends and co-workers. This is critical for all workplaces and includes readily available sinks and hand hygiene stations, making bags for safe mask storage readily available, ensuring signage for social distancing, discouraging sharing of open food, and ensuring that the size of the break room can accommodate the expected volume throughout the day. Irvine Company has thoughtfully considered these important issues and ensured not only safe break room areas, but also linked them to nearby adjacent outdoor spaces that can be used for employee eating, communicating, and socializing at a safe distance while the masks are off.”
As new information about COVID-19 transmission becomes available, Irvine Company is working with UCI Health to ensure our approach to workplace wellness continues to support our customers’ well-being and business success. For more information, visit ComeBackWithConfidence.com.
