After nearly 2 months of quarantine, states are beginning to lift their stay-at-home orders and employees are making their way back to work. While some employees can’t wait to finally get out of their home, many employees are raising concerns about safety in the workplace.
According to a recent survey, 2 out of 3 Americans are not comfortable with returning back to work just yet because they are hesitant to share their work space with others. Although government officials say it is safe to return back to work, 1 in 4 employees say that will leave their current job if their employer doesn’t invest in stronger cleaning practices.
So, what does this mean for employers? As you and your employees return back to work, you must focus on the safety of your employees, so that they are healthy and comfortable with returning back to work. Here are some things to consider:
Allow Employees To Work Remotely If That Makes Them Comfortable
You might be hesitant to allow your team to work remotely, but if that is what makes your employees feel comfortable, you should not force them to come into work. Some companies have rotating shifts where half the team comes into the office for two weeks, while the other half of the team works from home. That way, the office is not full at all times.
This year, we are all adjusting to unchartered waters. Some employees might be fearless about the virus while others are concerned. Respect their wishes because, after all, you don’t know the health status of every one of your employees and they could be at risk for the virus.
Implement A Social Distance Policy
In most states, there is a social distancing guideline in place. As employees return to the office, make sure that there is plenty of room between your employees. If desks are less than 6 feet apart, you should space the desks out a bit more. If you are in a meeting room, consider leaving an empty seat between each person. If you notice a group of your employees are standing a bit too close together, don’t be afraid to speak up and politely ask them to space out a bit.
Invest In Cleaning Methods
Many offices have a cleaning service and if you don’t have one, now is the time to get one. The office should be cleaned every night after your team heads home for the day. Many companies might not be able to afford a cleaning service each day which is fine, as long as you have someone thoroughly cleaning the office each day.
You should also provide plenty of hand sanitizer, soaps, and sanitizing wipes to your employees. Encourage your team to wipe down their cell phones, tablets, keyboards and any other item that they are consistently touching because this is where germs gather the most.
Encourage Masks
Many businesses are requiring masks for entry; however, it is not mandatory in many states. It is up to you to determine if your team must wear a mask. We strongly suggest encouraging everyone to wear a mask to ensure that everyone is comfortable.
Cover Coughs and Sneezes
If your employees have a strong cough, they should not be in the office. But, if employees do feel a cough or sneeze coming on, make it clear to them that they must cover their cough and then immediately wash their hands. This prevents the spread of any germs.
Screen Your Employees Prior To Entry
Before your employees even leave their house in the morning to come into work, they should be screened.
When you go into a doctor’s office, they will take your temperature and ask you a few screening questions such as:
· Have you been in contact with anyone with COVID-19?
· Do you have a cough, sore throat, fever?
· Have you traveled recently?
These are all the precautions your employees should be taking daily. At Work2Live, we came up with a simple solution for employers: The ENTRSAFE App.
The ENTRSAFE App- How It Works
With the ENTRSAFE app, employees receive daily access passes based on responses to the COVID-19 screening questions. If the employee passes the screening, they are cleared to come into work. If some questions indicate that a secondary review is necessary, they are then placed “in review” until the employer can clear the employee for entry. Or, if employees are showing symptoms of the virus, they are placed in an electronic quarantine.
Unfortunately, not all employees would take the time in the morning to evaluate themselves before showing up to work. This app is a way to ensure everyone is healthy before coming into work.
The best part about it? The platform is FREE? All you have to do is fill out some necessary information and a team member will get you set up.
Want to see for yourself how it works? Try a free demo!
Be Transparent With Your Employees
When returning to work, not only is it important to have a safety strategy in place, but it’s important to communicate this strategy to your employees.
Before returning to work, employees want to know they are safe and they will want to hear about the safety measures you are taking to keep the workplace clean. When it comes time for employees to return back to the office, send out an email to each team member and thoroughly explain your strategy.
Some employees might have questions and special requests and if possible, you should try your best to meet their special requests to ensure they are comfortable with returning to the office. And of course, if they feel more comfortable working from home, don’t hesitate to approve the request.
This pandemic has brought on many new challenges for business owners, but with the right strategy, you can overcome those challenges and keep your business running strong.
Prioritize the safety of your employees and we can guarantee business will bounce back stronger than ever!
Get the ENTRSAFE app today to get started with your strategy!