People still need to work, even during times of crisis. During this coronavirus pandemic, you may be wondering how you can keep your employees safe so that they can still work, your business can still operate, and everyone can stay healthy. Thankfully, there are things you can do to help keep your employees healthy and safe.
Protective Equipment
One of the ways that you can help protect your employees is by giving them personal protective equipment (PPE). This may be masks, gloves, and plexiglass shields (especially if you have a receptionist or own a restaurant and interact with customers face-to-face). However, just because you buy your employees one mask doesn’t mean that they will be protected indefinitely. Some types of PPE should be disposed of after so many uses. Replenish the protective equipment of your employees so that they can stay safe.
Sick Leave
Another way you can protect your employees is to extend sick leave and encourage anyone who is feeling sick to stay home. Paid sick leave is crucial to slowing the spread of the coronavirus. By law, you are obligated to pay your employees up to 80 hours of work for sick leave. Some companies have extended their sick leave policy. Employees who are ill, in any way, shape or form, should be encouraged to stay home. Many people push on through their pain and go to work anyway, but this could endanger the health of others. In these unprecedented times, encourage all employees who feel ill to stay home.
Be Understanding
One of the best things you can do for your employees is be understanding during these times. Some of your employees may have family members who have contracted the disease. Some might need extended time to care for loved ones at home while schools and daycares are closed. Some of your employees might be higher at risk to COVID-19 and are scared to come to work for fear of contracting the disease. Some of your employees might be at an all-time high stress level because they’ve never faced anything like this before. In this time of crisis, it’s most important to be helpful and understanding.
Dealing with COVID-19 is a daunting challenge for anyone. Figuring out how to deal with it can be difficult, but it is worth it because it will keep your employees healthy and safe.