5 Ways to Protect Your Employees
5 Ways to Protect Your Employees
Can we see the light at the end of the tunnel? Some states have lifted their shelter-in-place allowing some businesses to gradually reopen. While some restrictions have been lifted, it is still important to protect your employees as the coronavirus continues to linger. Employees want to return to work knowing their office is sparkling clean free of germs. Here are five ways employers can protect their employees as they return to their offices.
Step 1: Disinfect the Office
When was the last time the office had a real deep cleaning? If its been longer than a few weeks, get back on it! Establish a cleaning schedule whether it be in-between shifts, once or twice a week to keep your employee’s work spaces squeaky clean. Clean all areas that are frequently used or touched such as door handles and tools. Consider purchasing hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectant especially made to fight against viral pathogens. Clean office = happy employees = happy boss. Keeping a clean office will leave your employees at ease knowing they are working in a clean and safe environment.
Step 2: Hand-washing
This seems like a no-brainer but encourage your employees to take extra precautions and wash their hands more frequently throughout the day. Opt for the hand washing soap that has extra disinfectant to fight those viral pathogens. For even more encouragement, you could place hand washing how-to posters in the bathrooms to make sure everyone knows exactly how to do it correctly. It only takes a minute! Place hand sanitizer at convenient places and urge your employees to use it after leaving or entering their work spaces.
Step 3: Social Distance
Let's embrace technology of the 21st century. Limit physical interaction and take advantage of teleworking opportunities. Have your team conduct virtual meetings and phone calls whenever possible. I know we miss those water cooler break room chats and grabbing lunch with a coworker, but utilizing the resources to practice social distancing will decrease the risk of transmitting the virus. If in-person meetings are absolutely necessary, then be sure to establish a no-handshake policy and be sure to wear a mask.
Step 4: Mask up!
We've switched our production capabilities from manufacturing socks to manufacturing high-quality cloth masks. Show your employees that you care about their health and safety by outfitting the team in triple-layer protective cloth masks. Add filters with your order for extra added protection. Our filters protect from dust, haze, germs, and allergens. Have your employees wear cloth face coverings when they are in the office or other public places where social distancing may be difficult to enforce. Click here to learn how you can protect your team with custom cloth masks.
Step 5: Send sick employees home
Its always better to be safe, and send one employee home, than to be sorry and end up sending the whole team home. If an employee is expressing symptoms of the virus, allow them to go home and take care of themselves. The CDC has advised employers that have employees who appear to have symptoms of COVID-19, such as cough or shortness of breath, should be separated from other employees and send home immediately. If they are well enough to work remotely, then advise if that is an option available for them.
