In a pandemic, some people are asking if it's time to go back to physical offices. While this may be a controversial topic, there is research that supports the idea of going back to work. Here are some latest tips on how to make it happen.
By Team Savant
Image: Kristin Wilson
Use Apps To Help Keep Your Employees Safe
To keep employees safe and productive during a pandemic, companies should use apps and sites like Proxyclick to stay connected. Here’s how:
Use social media channels like Facebook or Twitter for updates on the virus and what people are doing to protect themselves—particularly if they live in an at-risk area. Employees can check these often so that they don’t have to search for the most up-to-date information and share it with co-workers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has a smartphone app that provides access to health alerts, disease prevention advice, vaccination reminders, and medical treatment guidance during public health emergencies such as pandemics.
Ensure Everyone Gets Vaccinated
If you're an employer, the best thing to do to keep your employees safe is to get them vaccinated. This helps protect them from getting sick and prevents potential contamination with other people if they are infectious. A few things employers can do right away:
Get vaccines to your office: Some clinics will deliver them straight to the workplace. Others might offer a drop-in clinic, where employees can get vaccinated during business hours in their building.
Offer vaccination incentives: Incentives could include reimbursements for vaccinations or time off from work.
Consider Expanding Your Building
Buildings have long been the office's signature infrastructure, and they are no less important as a tool for dealing with pandemic threats.
In a pandemic, having the ability to isolate yourself from coworkers and other occupants is one way to avoid bringing home an infection. This option may be preferable for some people who have allergies or chronic respiratory problems. It can also provide peace of mind in cases when airborne infections are present.
If you work with hazardous materials or other occupational hazards, a building might be the best way to provide protection. However, physical separations can also give you more options should your needs change in an emergency.
In addition, some pandemic scenarios may require different types of work or special equipment that you cannot accommodate by telecommuting arrangements.
Adhere To Covid Measures
The pandemic should be front and center in every aspect of your business, including office space planning. COVID measures minimize the spread of infectious diseases by controlling patient contact, and they may be helpful in pandemic preparation.
The COVID approach is simple: work with your employees to create a list of those who should stay home in an emergency; have them use sick leave or personal days off if they get ill, and make sure they know not to come into the office.
Conclusion
While it may be exciting to think that you might go back to work from home or even get paid during what would otherwise be unpaid time off, there are many reasons why this is not as great as it sounds.