Some CEO’s make plans to return staff to the office

CEOs were asked: When do you anticipate returning your full staff to your office? What factors are you considering in this decision?==

Fortunately, I am happy to say, we didn’t have any layoffs. I think that the models have changed due to COVID-19. I started using technologies such as Zoom for staff and client meetings. I found it to be very efficient; I will not be returning to a brick and mortar.

Dexter Bridgeman, CEO, founder, M•I•A Media Group

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Fortunately, we have been fully capable of meeting our clients’ needs working remotely. Even so, our attorneys and support staff have been coming to the office from time to time as may be necessary to provide the service our clients have come to expect. I expect our full staff will return once vaccines are readily available, hopefully in the spring of 2021.

Luis Flores, managing partner, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr’s Miami office

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We are fortunate to have larger facilities. Prior to COVID-19, one would rightfully say that we had ‘wasted valuable real estate’. That has served us well by allowing safe social distancing among our team members. We have PPE for all of our team members, including acrylic barriers at all of our work stations. As a community bank committed to personal and concierge service, we feel it important to have team members on site. That being said, we do limit client traffic coming into our facilities. Security team members record visitors for contact tracing purposes and we take temperatures of all visitors, as well as visually screen them for cold or flu symptoms. We have had no work-based infections. We have had an average of 70 percent of our team members on site throughout the pandemic; we issued laptops and security equipment to allow many staff members to work form home in a secure environment.

Veronica Flores, executive vice president, First National Bank of South Miami

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No one has a crystal ball to tell them when it will be completely safe for us to return to the work-style and lifestyle as it was pre-COVID. The biggest consideration is, of course, the safety and health of our staff. Only when it is safe to do so will we have our staff return to our office. We can only be vigilant and follow the guidelines and protocols set by the CDC, Department of Health and local and state government officials. Currently, a few employees are in the office to fulfill our online orders and handle customer service, and we continue to work with our local research partners to deploy satellite tracking tags on sharks and billfish to keep much of our scientific program on schedule. We do look forward to 2021 and the day when we can somewhat return to normal.

Guy Harvey, founder, Guy Harvey Enterprises

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We have most of our office and back office staff back, while also providing flexibility and at-home work options as appropriate. Over the years, our Realtors have been provided the necessary technology and training to do their jobs from home or in the field. They continue to meet with their customers as needed.

Mike Pappas, president, CEO, The Keyes Company/Illustrated Properties

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We continue to work closely with our team members regarding in-person staffing of our office. We do not anticipate returning to a full staff in our office until after the new year. We remain vigilant in assuring that we are following CDC guidelines, especially now that the positive rate in Miami-Dade County has increased significantly and a surge of new cases is projected following the holidays.

Coralee Penabad, principal, Urban-X Group

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As an essential business, our branch location staff has been reporting to work unabated during the pandemic. We returned staff to our HQ location on Oct. 12, on an A/B Team hybrid (half a department works remote/half in-person, alternating every two weeks) which has worked very well. I would anticipate a return to normal at HQ in Q2 next year. Some of the factors in determining the timing of that will be CDC guidance on back to work readiness, virus statistics indicating prevalence, vaccine roll-out statistics, advances in therapeutics and hospital capacity.

Allan Prindle, president, CEO, Power Financial Credit Union

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YWCA will not return to full staff until it is safe to do so. We do not act alone — we’re a partner in a collective of decision-makers constantly listening and examining how and when we make the next step to keep us all safe. Our work is interconnected with schools and essential industries, so there must be sufficient immunity and treatment capacity across the region to allow our team, and the community’s teams, to feel safe.

Kerry-Ann Royes, CEO, YWCA South Florida

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We have been working in the gallery almost the entire time — except for the lockdown period.

Mindy Solomon, owner, director, Mindy Solomon Gallery

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Yes, I do anticipate that our full staff will return to the office once the pandemic is fully under control and it’s deemed safe to do so. The main factor will be the availability of the vaccine for our staff and a substantially declined infection rate. Working remotely in our business sector has been difficult and certainly less efficient for our team.

Frank Steslow, president, CEO, Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

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THE MIAMI HERALD CEO ROUNDTABLE IS A WEEKLY FEATURE THAT APPEARS IN BUSINESS MONDAY OF THE MIAMI HERALD. RECENT QUESTIONS TO THE ROUNDTABLE HAVE INCLUDED:

South Florida CEOs favor a second stimulus

CEOs ponder the good and bad of another possible lockdown in South Florida

CEOs predict remote technology won’t disappear post-COVID-19

CEOs provide flexible schedules, and sometimes more, for staff

Time for a vacation? Many CEOs have managed to take some time off amid pandemic

Some CEOS worry about price increases at the grocery store

 In work-from-home era, some CEOs miss seeing their staff in person

Some South Florida CEOs say they’re still hiring

After schools’ cyberattack, CEOs review their firms’ cyber protection

Returning to the office? CEOs eyeing the trends

Zoom, cute kids and pets make an impact on remote working

CEOs see some good news and bad for the rest of 2020

CEOs: How to reopen South Florida’s businesses

Meet the latest panel of the Business Monday CEO Roundtable

CEOs predict big changes when pandemic subsides

For some CEOs, COVID-19 crisis is an unknown challenge

CEOs trying to protect the bottom line without layoffs

Most CEOs don’t anticipate changes to tax preparation this year

All eyes on politics: CEOs watching national and local races

As coronavirus menace unfolds, CEOs watch and wait

CEOs discuss their approach to holiday spending

What’s inside? CEOs discuss surge in lab-grown meat

Should Facebook be regulated? CEOs weigh in

As tech hiring slows, CEOs discuss ways to boost opportunities

CEOs worry about climate change — and responding to the threat

College degrees are invaluable, but technical skills also have merit

CEOs spill the beans on how they get their news

CEOs’ one simple rule for social media: Don’t be an embarrassment

CEOs: Best holiday gifts bring cherished memories

 CEOs: Holidays celebrate team achievements, cement culture

What is the future for commuter rail in South Florida?

CEOs discuss South Florida’s cost-of-living issues

CEOs in new class share their greatest professional achievements

Ride an e-scooter? Most CEOs haven’t — yet

CEOs offer diverse ways of luring and keeping good workers

CEOs: Local schools equip some students with skills they’ll need for workforce

CEOs say schools have focused on increased safety and security

What should organizations do with scandal-tainted donations?

CEOs moving forward, not scaling back

Sharing office space? It’s a good idea for some

Jobs available, but finding qualified candidates is a hurdle for some

Recession? CEOs say that so far, it’s a no-show in South Florida

Traveler’s checkup: CEOs discuss pros and cons of liberal vacation policies

Too cold? Too hot? Let’s talk workplace temperatures

CEOS: Working remotely is often a great alternative

If the economy falters, local companies are prepared

CEOs consider whether Miami is the ideal spot for a soccer team and stadium

CEOs are planning for climate change and sea-level rise

Efforts to boost low wages may ease affordability crisis

Local and state governments must do more to address affordable housing

Find your passion and own your career path, CEOS tell job seekers

 Here’s how CEOs would advise a high school senior class on its last day

South Florida CEOs offer suggestion to address America’s student loan debt

Supervisors often were the greatest influence on CEOs’ careers

CEOs address Miami’s racial wealth gap

CEOs discuss transforming healthcare in America

Is the job market as good as it gets?

CEOs split on encouraging marijuana sales in Florida

Unlocking state funds for affordable housing is the right move, CEOS said

CEOs try to lasso healthcare costs, but more needs to be done

CEOs agree that tax breaks are needed to lure businesses to Florida

Technology led to significant changes in 2018 for most CEOs

What are CEOs doing to attract and retain workers?

Most CEOs say salaries will increase in 2019

Most CEOs are in ‘growth mode’ with plans to hire more

CEOs’ 2019 economic forecast offers differing views

How CEOs are trying to attract ‘Generation Z’

Most CEOs say PortMiami should expand more, without hurting the fragile eco-system

Should financial institutions reach more ‘unbanked’ people?

Tech scene throughout South Florida is building momentum

CEOs discuss their top workforce challenges for 2019

The best gift? Even for the most successful people, life is about more than business

Recession ahead? CEOs divided on whether they see signs of one

CEOs: Amazon’s strong look at Miami for HQ2 made the region look hard at itself

▪ Biggest influence on CEOs’ careers? Most say it was a parent

▪ Jobs available? CEOs look at their companies

▪ CEOs keep an eye on Miami’s cost of living

▪ The key to retaining employees? Start with good pay and benefits

▪ Live-work-play? More employees opt to live closer to workplaces

▪ Some CEOs say they’ve raised wages this year

▪ Here are some issues CEOs hope lawmakers keep top-of-mind this election year

▪ CEOs offer varying opinions on higher education

▪ Local firms are doing their part to be more eco-friendly

▪ CEOs are all smiles thanks to local economic boom

▪ Is work-life balance a myth? CEOs share their thoughts

▪ CEOs help employees struggling with long commutes

▪ Despite airline woes, CEOs are not changing traveling habits

▪ CEOs have diverse opinions on Trump’s tariffs and other actions

▪ CEOs feel pressure to keep wages competitive

▪ South Florida CEOs say that Miami can sustain David Beckham’s soccer team

▪ CEOs hope common-sense control on assault rifles happens soon

▪ Will Amazon open HQ2 in Miami? Maybe, maybe not, but city’s profile rises, CEOs say

▪ We have much to learn about public transit from other cities, CEOs say

▪ CEOs: Cuban coffee, flexibility and beach picnics help employees balance job demands

▪ CEOs discuss how to deal with extreme views in the workplace

▪ Extra guards, added security measures protect staff and clients

▪ As automation advances, CEOs say humans are still needed

▪ Holiday parties celebrate employees and the year’s successes

▪ These CEOs have zero tolerance for sexual harassment

▪ Will automation change your job? Yes — and no, CEOs say

▪ How CEOs address hostility in the workplace

▪ Good storm planning can stave off disruptions, CEOs find

▪ Storms highlighted serious local issues, CEOs say

▪ Planning, preparation are keys to disaster recovery, CEOs say

▪ CEOs say students who improve certain skills are better prepared for future jobs

▪ Uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act on the minds of CEOs

▪ In a year of challenges, CEOs took risks, learned and grew

▪ CEOs believe community should be involved in making public schools better

▪ Best bosses we ever had inspired, challenged and cared, say South Florida CEOs

▪ South Florida CEOs try to evaluate the nation’s top CEO: President Trump

▪ CEOs’ advice to college students: Network! Internships! Research!

▪ Affordable housing a cause of concern for CEOs

▪ Communication, cool heads key to avoiding public relations nightmares

▪ Meet the new Miami Herald CEO Roundtable

▪ Ahh, the first job. CEOs learned valuable lessons on the bottom rung

▪ It’s getting harder for employees and CEOs to disconnect while on vacation

▪ Florida’s legislators must act on economy and education, CEOs say

▪ Most CEOs provide paid internships, and everyone benefits

▪ Local firms rich in generational immigrants, CEO say, but deportation efforts worry some

▪ Long hours at the office? CEOs say how they avoid burnout

▪ CEOs prefer balance when dealing with a defiant employee

▪ The most important issue facing South Florida this year? CEOs say it’s traffic

▪ Have you been to Cuba? CEOs discuss business and travel opportunities on the island

▪ CEOs discuss their resolutions for the New Year

▪ CEOs: Trump, ugly politics among the biggest surprises of 2016

▪ CEOs’ top request for Trump’s first 100 days: ‘Unity’

▪ CEOs won’t tolerate ugly comments in the workplace

▪ CEOs assess South Florida’s economy for 2017

▪ Did Obamacare hurt your business? South Florida CEOs respond