As Governor Roy Cooper moves us toward the State’s full reopening, if you’re like us, you’re asking yourself, how exactly do we reopen?
Are there new rules on how to operate in a COVID-19 world?
How do we bring employees back to work?
What if they’re scared?
What if they’re sick or get sick?
Over the next 3-part series, we’ll offer some tips to help answer these frequently asked questions so we all can try to find our new normal at work.
Question 1: Am I Safe at Work?
When bringing employees back to work, the first question they ask is “is it safe?”
The most effective way to reassure employees that their health and wellbeing is a priority is to have a safety plan in place…in writing…and posted in multiple places.
And, importantly, keep communicating about it. Update, train and remind employees regularly about your safety plan and what you’re doing to keep them safe. Plus, having a plan also ensures that you are meeting all legal obligations required by OSHA to maintain a safe working environment.
Don’t know what to include in your safety plan? Here is an article to walk you through the process.
And, here are a few basic suggestions and resources:
- Tell employees to stay home if they are sick. Period. Consider allowing them to use any accrued paid sick or vacation time.
- Consider having employees fill out a COVID-19 Self-Declaration Form. Need a form to use? We’ve got one for you, but we just need to explain to you a few parameters on how to use it. Just email Mimi for more information.
- If someone has COVID-19 symptoms, require that they quarantine for at least 14 days and/or consider COVID-19 virus testing before bringing them back to work.
- Clean common areas and the items employees touch routinely throughout the day. Think – telephones, door knobs, refrigerator handles, staplers, etc.
- Provide cleaning supplies and necessary personal protective equipment like masks, gloves or gowns.
- Require social distancing – at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) apart at work. And, when employees cannot social distance, they should wear a mask or face covering.
- Encourage frequent hand washing. Here is a CDC poster on hand-washing. It may seem like common sense, but we all need reminders.
Have more questions? Go ahead and schedule a call with us here.
Written by Traci Lasher, HR Strategist / Paralegal, and Mimi Soule, Attorney / Managing Partner.