Employee Planning Tips for a Safe Return to Office
As businesses set their return to office timelines, employee health and safety planning is paramount. On the employee front, it is important to consider government restrictions and expectations as well as review guidance from industry bodies such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration and SHRM as you create your return to work plan.
Plan for Office & Employee Safety.
To help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 infection, offices should provide employees disinfecting supplies including alcohol-based sanitizers and wipes as well as masks if 6-feet of social distancing cannot be achieved. Additionally, consider putting touch-free thermometers at the office entrance to help identify individuals that may have fevers. Now is the time to start ordering the necessary supplies as delivery times can be long.
Survey Employees.
Understanding employee situations is important to adapting and maintaining successful business operations. Conduct a survey to understand remote work efficiencies or challenges, individuals with greater risk and those “essential” to return to the workplace.
Explore Flexible Work Scenarios & Social Distancing.
Consider staggered start times around public transportation for those who travel at peak periods as well as alternating work week schedules to minimize density of employees in office.
Consider Adjustments to Open Office Layout.
With open floor plans, evaluate how you will maintain social distancing including:
- Creating zig-zag seating patterns
- Staggering employee attendance through rotations
- Installing partitions between desks
- Establishing one-way traffic patterns
