The COVID-19 pandemic is still sweeping across the U.S. finding new hotspots, however, the CDC has now provided comprehensive guidance on safely reopening. If your organization can continue to operate remotely, it is probably the best option until a vaccine or therapeutic drug is widely available. Transitioning employees back into the physical workplace will require thorough assessment and planning unique to your organization. Your business will need to develop the plan, implement it, and maintain/revise it. Let’s review a few things to consider.
Policies and Procedures
- Healthy employees: Will you require temperature checks? If so, will you depend on employees to verify their temperature each day or will you check it as they arrive?
- Hand-Washing, Hygiene, and Social Distancing: You may want to post hand washing and social distancing posters and reminders, provide hand sanitizers throughout the office, and create a hygiene policy.
- Health and Safety Changes: Will you require face masks or other PPE? If so, will you supply necessary items to your employees? Be sure to check with your state, local, and industry regulations.
- Sick and Leave Policies: Other than the provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, are there other leave policies you need to update? Attendance and leave policies may need to be updated based on the environment.
- High-Risk Employees: Be prepared to create policies and procedures on handling concerns and requests from employees with chronic health conditions or age 65 and up. If telecommuting is possible for these employees, it would be prudent to allow a flexible work arrangement.
- Child Care Availability or Flexibility: Because many schools and child care centers have been closed or unpredictable, arranging flexible work around these circumstances will be necessary. This might include work-from-home, short-term leave, or even making child and adolescent care available on-site.
Communication
- Ensure that you communicate policies, safety procedures, expectations, and timelines to your employees early, often, and clearly.
- Share any new health and safety procedures with your company’s customers, vendors, and other visitors to your facilities.
- Provide visible postings at entrances, send emails, provide pre-visit checklists, and other reminders which will serve to inform and reinforce on-site expectations
The Physical Environment
- Physical barriers like Plexiglas or cubicle walls between workstations can help minimize the spread of the virus
- Reconfiguration of desks or work spaces may be necessary to achieve the appropriate social distancing recommendations
- Visual floor markers 6 feet apart may be a helpful cue in high-traffic areas like the break room or frequently-used equipment
- Regular cleaning and disinfection of workstations, desks, equipment, door handles, and break room spaces should be included as part of your plan
For more information, the 60-page CDC guide can be viewed here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/php/CDC-Activities-Initiatives-for-COVID-19-Response.pdf
Find out how we can assist you in assessing your office, policies, and communication strategy.