Part 4
Lordly Jones
As we continue our blog series on COVID-19’s effects on our business members, Lordly Jones, located at 51 John St. S., brings a unique perspective as they have had to overhaul not only how they do business in their showroom but also what products they bring to their clients during a pandemic.
Lordly Jones has been providing quality solution-based workspace environments to Hamilton and Southern Ontario businesses for over 75 years. Their team includes experienced facility consultants, interior specifiers, ergonomists, delivery and installation personnel, service specialists, and administrators. They take pride in building relationships to provide creative options for clean and healthy working environments that inspire performance. In 2020 the importance of functional and COVID safe workplaces is of utmost importance for keeping businesses operating. So how has Lordly Jones amended their operations to work for their staff and clients?
Firstly, they have closed their showroom to the general public and moved to appointment only access for clients to visit. Anyone entering the building must complete COVID screening including leaving contact information, a temperature check, and a review of the COVID-19 protocol questionnaire. Masks are also mandatory for those entering by appointment and clients have access to the main floor only. When an appointment has been booked all staff are advised of the time and numbers, a limit of 2 clients in the building at the same time has been established. Consultants are available to walk you through their showroom via live stream through Zoom or FaceTime. Lordly Jones has also reached out to their manufactures representatives and requested they be available for contact virtually or by phone only.
In regards to Lordly Jones staff, those entering the building must check their temperature daily at the hands-free monitor. A standard COVID protocol questionnaire is also to be completed daily. All staff are spaced in stations with ample barriers and/or physical distance. Because of these precautions, their business has been able to maintain full staffing and operations.
The onset of COVID-19 health and safety regulations has caused many workplaces to review and redesign their space to fit in with the new reality. In addition to protective screen options for reception areas as well as for separating workspaces, new textiles are being applied to lounge and clerical seating. The use of materials that were traditionally used mainly in healthcare allows for proper disinfecting without losing the textile to bleach or peroxide. A facility could now require complete disinfecting at any time, so it is important to have furniture that can stand up to this reality without sacrificing design.
Lordly Jones President, Brian O’Neill, and his team are happy to help clients create designs incorporating the safe distancing required but are also advising clients to keep in mind how their spaces will be used post-COVID. At some point, the pandemic will end, and a note for new or existing offices to consider is the use of their space in a year or two when social distancing is no longer as vital. As Brian sums up well, “Plan for today and tomorrow”. If you are looking for workplace solutions or even just an office refresh explore Lordly Jones online here.
Throughout this blog series so far we’ve seen innovation from all our businesses in working through COVID-19 restrictions. Downtown businesses want to continue to serve their clients and customers in any way that they can, that’s become abundantly clear through all of the efforts to get back up and running. Businesses like Lordly Jones had to make adjustments to not only help support their clients through 2020 but also to ensure the safety of their own staff. We are thankful for the resiliency our members have shown and hope that you consider supporting local business whenever possible. It is especially needed during this unprecedented year.