COVID-19 is affecting all businesses
The Corona Virus COVID-19 has changed the way the entire world is currently working. As business leaders and human beings, we have to do what we can to help prevent the spread of disease. By working together to plan, prepare, and respond accordingly within your workplace, we can ensure everyone is safe from the spread of this and other viruses. Here are some tips on how to help prevent the spread of viruses within your workplace.
CDC Guidance for COVID-19
The CDC has released guidelines for businesses and employers that can help you in your planning for the possible effects of the virus on your business. These guidelines include:
Actively Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home
Leadership should create a strategy around sick leave policies to be flexible and consistent with public health guidance to ensure sick employees can stay home without fear of discipline, including the ability for workers to stay home for sick children or other family members. Don’t require employees who are sick to get a doctor’s note to validate their illness as healthcare professionals may not be able to provide documents timely.
Emphasize Hygiene and Cleanliness by All Employees
Make sure to provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for your employees. Instruct your people to clean their hands regularly. Washing and using hand sanitizer as available to keep them clean. You can also suggest to routinely clean all surfaces in the workplace. Employee workstations, countertops, and doorknobs are all places that you should keep clean to avoid the spread of disease in your workplace.
Creating an Emergency Essential Function Plan
If the spread of COVID-19 or any other disease reaches a point where your primary and essential business functions are affected, you will need to maintain business operations to avoid absenteeism or interruptions of supply chains. Make sure to identify what policies, authorities, and procedures need to be changed to make sure your business stays running. Plan your communication for employees to make sure they know the situation and their roles within the plan. If travel restrictions are present, you will have to account for any planned travel meetings to be remote, as you should cancel most large work-related conferences or events.
General Guidance to Stop the Spread of Germs
The CDC has also released guidance for the general public to avoid spreading disease.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it away
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched areas and objects
- Stay home when you are sick
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Together, we can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases while we support our employees and each other during this trying time.
