It is safe to say that most are excited to be out of the house and working in person again. However, all employers need to consider the best ways to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and lower the impact in their workplace.
Here are a few essential considerations to ensure a successful transition back to work:
- Limit Employee Numbers. Establish a process of rotating groups between those working from home and those working in office. Change the shift every few days. Limiting the number of employees working in office at the same time will help prevent the spread.
- Increase The Amount Of Outside Air Circulating In The System, And Ventilation Rates
- Routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, kitchen appliances, handrails, and doorknobs.
- Discourage workers from using other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use.
- Rebuild Workplace morale. Successful businesses thrive on motivated workforces, so it’s important that leaders invest efforts to rebuild workplace morale. Acknowledge any employee concerns and dispiritedness and treat announcements regarding the new operating environment with sensitivity.
- Rethink Office Physical Setup. Businesses will still need to observe regulations governing social distancing, employee gatherings and hygiene practices. It’s likely that pre-virus working environments are unsuited to these new restrictions. Businesses will need to be proactive in reconfiguring their office spaces. Keep the “6 Foot Apart” rule in mind while rearranging the office.
- Employees Who Feel Sick Need To Stay Home.
- If Possible, Require COVID-19 Testing For Returning Employees
- Send Emails, Put Up Posters, Signs, Etc To Remind Employees of personal hygiene
- Provide Plenty Of Soap, Hand Sanitizers, and Disinfectants
For more information on preparing your workplace, visit
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/return-to-work.html