Employers are facing the challenges of having most or all their employees working from home as the world navigates the coronavirus quarantine.
This is uncharted territory, but one thing is sure: Employers’ top priority is keeping the workforce healthy while conducting business as best as possible. Here are a few tips to maintain a productive and safe environment while helping employees during this uncertain time.
- Establish a dedicated HR response team.
Provide employees with a way to access consistent and up-to-date information using a dedicated human resources team that can respond to employees’ questions and concerns as quickly as possible.
- Allow employees to work from home if you can.
People with underlying health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. If employees need to report to the office, take extra measures to put distance between employees to prevent spreading germs.
- Communicate regularly and clearly.
Communicate as often as you can in simple, nonmedical language to assure employees you care about them, their health and welfare. Directing employees to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and
World Health Organization websites can help ease concerns and dispel confusion.
- Direct employees to virtual health resources.
Employee assistance or leave programs and virtual doctor resources can help people stay out of doctors’ offices and the emergency room, which can carry many germs. Making it easier to get care and guidance from home can put employees’ minds at ease and help them avoid public areas.
No one has all the answers during this uncertain time — and it’s okay to be honest about that. Establishing trust and reassuring your employees that you’re in this together can make a world of difference.
