Tips for health and safety in COVID-19 at the workplace.

COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets or contact with contaminated surfaces. Exposure can occur at the workplace, while travelling to work, during work-related travel to an area with local community transmission, as well as on the way to and from the workplace.

1) Workspaces, facilities and technology:

·      Ensuring safe distancing between employees and visitors.

·      Safely managing the flow of people in and out of the workplace.

·      Planning for collaboration spaces, meeting rooms and hot desking, and the technology to support.

·      Do you need to reopen facilities all at once or can you develop a staged approach?

2) Keep Clearly Defined Working Hours:

Just as you designate and separate your physical workspace, you should be clear about when you’re working and when you’re not. You’ll get your best work done and be most ready to transition back to the office if you stick with your regular hours. Plus, if your role is collaborative, being on the same schedule as your coworkers makes everything much easier.

If you live with other people, this separation is even more critical. Communicate with the people you live with to establish boundaries so you can cut down on distractions during the workday—and then disconnect and give the people you care about your full attention. Having a separate time and space to work will allow you to be more present in your home life.

3) Health and safety:

How will you ensure the health and safety of your people? Things to consider include:

·      Monitoring and maintaining proper social distancing guidelines.

·      Establishing stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols for desks, meeting rooms, bathrooms, end-of-trip facilities and shared kitchen spaces.

·      Ensuring your staff are provided with the facilities and personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain personal hygiene, such as face masks, gloves, alcohol wipes, handwashing stations and hand sanitizers.  

·      Having a risk management process that factors in contact tracing, travel policy reviews and tracking of employee compliance with health regulations. 

·      Having a contingency plan should there be another spike in COVID-19 cases.