What does a red dot mean?

Today I am talking about the red dot.

Now that sounds like a very strange subject, but it’s something which I’ve had a couple of conversations with people over the last few days, who are returning to in-person meetings, returning to the office where people are together. There are still a lot of people who are really concerned about being in such close proximity to people for so long.

One of the things that we’re suggesting is that employers, who have a duty of care to look after all of their staff and to make them feel comfortable and to make them feel safe, introduce some kind of visual cue that everybody knows and recognises.

The wristband

I’ve seen a very clever one, which take a wristband, and a red wristband says, “don’t come close. I’m not shaking hands. I’m keeping my distance. Please don’t come too near me.” While a green wristband says, “I’m good for a handshake. I’m good to have a close-up conversation with you. ” The wrist band symbolise to people very easily and very politely where you are on that journey of comfort back to normality.

The red dot

The other thing which I’m seeing is the use of a red sticker, and I’m seeing this a lot at networking meetings, such as the Chamber of Commerce, BNI, other networking events, where when you’re given a name badge. On arrival you’re asked whether you want a red dot and the red dot does exactly the same thing as a wristband, actually, possibly more visibly. It says, “come and talk to me, but don’t stand too close. Don’t invade my space. Don’t shake hands. I prefer no contact.” And it’s a really easy way for people to express their views and what they’re comfortable with without causing offence to anybody.

It’s really important that the people who don’t want to be surrounded by lots of people, who don’t want to be shaking hands with lots of people, who want to be in a well ventilated rooms, with airy space around them have the opportunity to do so, while returning to something like normal life.