This back to work checklist is made to provide good practices for the management of a company on how to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak. Most people know that it can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but there is more to it. Therefore, it's important to give much attention to the virus, and to prevent spreading. Consider the following precautions:
Provide health-related office articles:
- Tissues
- No-touch trash-bins
- No-touch soap dispensers
- Hand sanitizers Anti-bacterial Hand gels/rubs
- Vitamins C, B6, E, etc (optional)
- Masks (optional)
Work preparations
- 1-on-1 talks with staff: what will your first week back look like and what is most important
- Let staff contact HR at least two weeks in advance to confirm the first day back and what to expect.
Clean and frequently touched common surfaces
- Elevator buttons, phones, chargers, door handles, computer equipment (mouse), etc
- Ask personnel to clean their mobile phones, tablets, etc on a regular basis
Childcare
- Confirm staff was able to arrange a daycare provider or nanny (some have difficulties traveling)
- Ask staff to bring a brief emergency contact list
Encourage respiratory hygiene
Covering mouth with elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing
Take care of frequent waste management
Discontinue the use of shared items
Notebooks, Pencils, Pens, clipboards, phones, cutlery, etc
Avoid usage of fans, central air condition, and heating systems
Review HR policies
Make sure the practices are consistent with public health recommendations from WHO/CDC/Government, etc and workplace laws
Stay informed of local government guidelines
Prepare risk assessment
In the case of staff illness, absences or quarantine
Cross-train staff for all essential business functions, jobs, roles to maintain operationally
Write or update the Business Continuity Plan
Consider travel restrictions
Make sure only essential work-related meetings or events are held, and others are postponed
Prepare for flexible working solutions
Make sure all employees can continue their daily operations from home or another safe location, by providing access via IT, arrange meetings with software/online tools
Time-off
Provide un-paid leave solutions for those employees who qualify for this
Encourage using disposable tableware
Single-use cups, cutlery, plates, etc
Establish a process to communicate information
Start sharing information with employees, business partners etc on the outbreak and on how to response (Outbreak response plan) and the latest COVID-19 information