People across the country are chomping at the bit to reopen, while others plan on sitting at home riding out this pandemic for as long as it takes. But, for many of us, especially business owners, life has to move forward at some point. If your small business is in a city or state that is easing shelter-at-home restrictions, find out eight ways to protect your employees when you reopen.
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Disinfect The Workplace
One thing that we all know for certain about the COVID-19 virus is that it is easily transmittable because it can live on surfaces for hours. Consider implementing a plan to disinfect your entire workplace, especially any areas of high traffic, including items that are touched frequently, such as phones, door handles, tables, and computers. Check your area for a reliable company that could provide disinfecting services. Whether you disinfect at the end of each day (recommended) or hire a professional company to take care of the job once a week, plan on disinfecting your workplace regularly.
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Encourage Remote Work/Virtual Meetings
This pandemic has taught many employers that employees can maintain productivity, even when working from home. While you may not have considered allowing your team to work remotely before, it is a necessity now. The coronavirus is not going to disappear any time soon, and remote work and virtual meetings allow people to continue practicing social distancing while getting their job done. If you still like the idea of having that team atmosphere in the office, consider an alternate work schedule to maintain the recommended six feet distance between workstations.
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Communicate With Employees
Your employees feel just as unsure about the future as you do, but we are all in this together! As new policies are implemented, and changes occur within your workplace, be sure to communicate these things to your employees. They need to hear about the changes, both good and bad, from their boss, not via office gossip. Communication also builds trust and loyalty, as well as boosts morale among your team.
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Revise Corporate Travel Policies
Many businesses have postponed non-essential travel, and even canceled their own events that they planned on hosting this year. However, business still has to be conducted, so Bryant Consultants recommends following the CDCs recommended guidelines regarding travel. Be sure also to check out the State Department’s guidelines as well. Check these sites frequently, before you book or cancel any trips, to ensure you are within the recommended travel guidelines.
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Prepare for Possible Closures
Health officials have already stated that the coronavirus is likely to spike again in the fall, and it could end up being worse than it was in the spring. Now is the time to plan on possible closures of certain sites or even your entire business again. Develop an action plan now, how you will keep your employees working, how to serve your customers, and how you will thrive through another possible shutdown, should it occur.
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Reevaluate Conference or Large Group Meeting Policies
Technology like FaceTime, Skype, and Zoom are suitable for virtual meetings. It’s important to continue practicing social distancing as much as possible. Instead of gathering in conference rooms, plan on conducting team meetings and conferences online using a secure platform.
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Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home
In the past, employees at some businesses felt that they might suffer consequences, or even lose their job if they took a sick day. This meant that people often showed up to work sick and contagious, spreading germs to others around the office. Any employee who is ill, whether with COVID-19 symptoms or something else, should be encouraged to stay home. With the option to work remotely, employees should stay home when not feeling well, yet still work and earn a paycheck.
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Provide Training to Management
Life is going to be different post-COVID, and your supervisors and managers need to be trained on new protocols. These professionals not only answer employee questions, but they also are responsible for the safety and health of their team. Managers need to be aware of the protocol for reporting coronavirus exposures to higher-ups, as well as to the health department.
Bryant Consultants has been providing training and consulting services to small businesses for more than a decade. Our goal is to help businesses reach their full potential and thrive past the pandemic. If you would like to learn more, please call (877) 768-4799 for a complimentary one-hour consultation. Are you on social media? We are too! Please connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
