Identify a workplace coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 issues and their impact at the workplace.
Implement flexible sick leave and supportive policies and practices.
Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of and understand these policies.- Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member or take care of children due to school and childcare closures.
- Additional flexibilities might include giving advances on future sick leave and allowing employees to donate sick leave to each other.
- Employers that do not currently offer sick leave to some or all of their employees may want to draft non-punitive “emergency sick leave” policies.
- Employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.
Consider establishing policies and practices for social distancing.
Social distancing should be implemented if recommended by state and local health authorities. Social distancing means avoiding large gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible (e.g., breakrooms and cafeterias). Strategies that business could use include:
- Increasing physical space between employees at the worksite.
- Increasing physical space between employees and customers (e.g., drive through, partitions).
- Implementing flexible meeting and travel options (e.g., postpone non-essential meetings or events).
- Delivering services remotely (e.g. phone, video, or web).
- Delivering products through curbside pick-up or delivery.
Employers with more than one business location are encouraged to provide local managers with the authority to take appropriate actions outlined in their COVID-19 response plan based on local conditions
Check out our Facility Re-Opening Guide, to read more on re-opening a safe and healthy workspace.
