The White House is currently balancing the difficult decision of social distancing versus getting back to work given the global COVID-19 crisis. Social distancing and requiring people to either go home or work from home, has proven to be a useful tactic in combatting the highly contagious virus.
But a residual and painful result is an economic downturn where people are either facing reduced work hours or unemployment. Seeing a reduction in productivity and loss of revenue, businesses are anxious to get people back to work.
At some point, we may hear an “it’s ok” from various authorities. But Human Resources professionals and business leaders should carefully consider how they will approach getting people back to work. We must not be in a big hurry to returning people to work without inviting a round two punch from the virus.
To develop a smart approach here are 4 key questions to ask:
- How will you convince your employees its safe to return to work?
I don’t know about you, but even if the smartest of smart people say, “okay is all good now” my caution flag would still be waving. I would still have lingering fear of the virus lurking around like the boogie man waiting to grab me when I least expect it. It will be up to business leaders to convince their employees its safe. But how?
- Consider your geography and timing.
If you are in a “hot spot” with high transmissions of the virus, obviously returning to work now or anytime soon is not a good idea.
- Reconfigure workspaces.
If you can reconfigure your workspaces to be 6-feet apart do so, even if the virus is gone. Besides just making it safe from a reoccurrence, employee and customer perception is everything.
- Stagger shifts/schedules/business lines.
If you can’t reconfigure workspaces perhaps you can stagger shifts or schedules in a way that people aren’t gathered at the timeclock clocking in. Or you may be able to have a phased opening approach to your business lines where only a few employees at a time are returning to work.
- Procedures for ongoing sanitization.
What will your procedures be for current and ongoing sanitization in the workplace? Having a plan and one that is widely communicated to your employees and customers will go far in convincing them you are serious about their safety not just for today, but in the future.
- Communication Plan.
Be organized and have a solid communication plan. Returning people to work is not the time for chaos. Not if you want to convince employees its safe and to have them be highly engaged.
2) Are there external support entities to consider?
I am referring to day Care and schools. Are your employees depending on childcare and schools to be open? When will those services be available?
3) Did customers change their buying habits?
There is nothing worse than the thought of bringing people back to work just to lay them off. If your customers moved their shopping habits online they may wish to stay there for a while, if not permanently. This isn’t just about the retail industry. Patients are being influenced by telemedicine like never before. Clients may not readily signup for face-to-face conferences/meetings in the future.
Understand what shifts your customer have and will continue to make during this time. Shifting your business model may be a reality for years to come.
4) How will you manage potential COVID-19 exposure on an ongoing basis?
What will your process be for those employees who were exposed or may be in the future? Will you send people home, require prescreening, and regular monitoring and the requirement of masks?
A couple good places to start:
CDC’s Interim Guidance For Implementing Safety Practices For Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May have Had Exposure To A Person With Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19.
Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 - OSHA
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
This year is a historical point that will forever shape the workplace, let alone the world. It is savvy and proactive business leaders and HR professionals that will be developing a smart approach to returning people to work.
