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meetings as well.” to an hour. It’s a good way to get everyone in sync with what’s
Tim Sandberg, a Project Manager in the South Atlantic Office, going on across the board.”
echoed how important it is to maintain limits and set a routine. Many team members are experiencing life during the
“I have worked from home short term previously but never pandemic from one of Gray’s numerous jobsites, which are still
at this length,” said Tim. “Maintaining a routine is probably the operational. Gray West Senior Project Engineer Autumn Romero
most important aspect. I have to set an alarm, get up, take a is working on the Southwest Gas Project in Victorville, California.
shower, and head to my ‘office.’ My wife and daughter know “Practicing social distancing on a jobsite can be rough,” said
that when the door is closed I am busy at work. Although I do Autumn. “We frequently have to look at the same drawings,
enjoy the reprieve of a four-year-old peeking her head through we’re having morning huddles, and we must keep a safe
a glass pane to make sure I knew she was waiting to say hello distance between workers during an orientation. We’re also
when I was free.” trying to get the audio/video of virtual meetings right and
Assistant Project Manager Casey Brummett has found a few reminding subcontractors – and ourselves – that we need to
challenges in working from home as well, but there are also keep to the 6 foot rule. All we can do is our best. We only have
some things he’d like to continue doing once things return control of what’s in front of us.”
to normal. In the Gray Ohio Valley Office, Site Manager Chris Elder has
“The absence of in-person collaboration [has been continued to work on the Agtech Scientific project. He said that
challenging],” said Casey. “Distance makes quick his social distancing challenges have included planning and
communication – with the PM team, site team, subs, design, completing tasks that require assistance in lifting or putting into
and customers – more challenging and creates a little more place work. He and his team also must work to keep traffic
room for error. Additionally, working from home is do-able, but to a minimum in one area that has a long access hallway. In 7
being away from office supplies, printers and the mail room are spite of these things, Chris has noticed that communication
also small challenges. has improved.
“A positive is that working from home makes you your own “This situation has brought added communication to workers
keeper. In-person collaboration is great, but being able to have needing to be in a concentrated area,” said Chris. “They are
phone calls in a more private setting at home is a plus. Once also more focused on communication of access and the
we’re in the office again, I will use screen sharing on Microsoft space needed.”
Teams video chats more often. It helps two people get on the Jamie Marshall has also noticed a positive when it comes
same page much quicker to resolve the topic of discussion. Our to communication.
team also began an end of day call that lasts for 30 minutes continued on page 8

Clockwise, from left: Spencer Bristol's Yvanne Komenan
is happy with her home workspace. South Atlantic Office
team member Tim Sandberg works side by side with his
daughter in his home office. Team members on a project in
Anaheim, California practice social distancing.