As companies prepare to return to the office, leaders are looking for the right tools to keep their teams safe and healthy. Discover the tech you need and the questions you should ask before bringing people back into the building, writes Tammy Cohen, founder, InfoMart.
When COVID-19-19 hit, companies worldwide responded to keep their teams safe: they went remote. Business changed overnight. Employees who had never worked from home suddenly found themselves logging in via laptops from their kitchen tables. HR professionals had to develop work-from-home policies. Business leaders had to adapt.
Now, as companies plan to return to work, those same leaders are looking for technology solutions that will lead to sustainably safe, healthy work environments in 2021 and beyond. Here are three steps to take to bring employees back to such an environment.
1. Research and Deploy COVID-19 Management Systems
More than anything else, add a COVID-19 screening and management platform to your current technology stack. Each COVID-19 management solution will offer different benefits, so do your research beforehand.
COVID-19 screening allows your employees to report any symptoms they have before entering your office. Proper COVID-19 screening platforms will vet your employees’ responses against the most up-to-date guidance issued by the CDC and other governing entities.
A robust COVID-19 management system goes one step further, allowing stakeholders from various departments, like HR, Safety, Compliance, and Facility Management, to oversee your work pool via a management portal.
Not all COVID-19 management systems are created equal, though. Look for a few key benefits, like temperature screening, contact tracingOpens a new window , one-time use for visitors/delivery personnel, and PPE request management. Any COVID-19 solution you choose should keep your company compliant with the EEOC, OSHA, and the ADA, and it should steer clear of HIPAA.
Adding a new tech solution to your company’s budget may not be ideal, particularly as companies try to cut back on spending during uncertain times. Still, a COVID-19 management system will pay for itself if it prevents an outbreak at your facility (and some of today’s best solutions aren’t as pricey as you might expect). Whether you have 10 employees or 10,000, a remote COVID-19 screening plan is a necessary layer of security for today’s businesses.
2. Plan for COVID-19 Testing
Regardless of how well you manage re-entry, once your team returns to the office, you’ll need to have a plan in place for COVID-19 testing. The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way businesses operate, and re-entry is only the starting point. The real battle happens when you have dozens, maybe hundreds, of people returning to in-person work environments every day. How do you keep those people safe – and, in turn, keep your company operating?
Because you can’t be certain who your team is interacting with outside of the office, a fast, reliable COVID-19 testing plan should factor into your ongoing safety protocols. The EEOC advises that employers can require screeningOpens a new window steps to prevent COVID-19-19 from entering the workplace, so long as mandatory medical testing is job-related and consistentOpens a new window .
Here are a few questions to consider:
- Will you require regular COVID-19 testing for your entire workforce?
- Will you only require COVID-19 testing if an employee shows certain symptoms or if they’ve been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus?
- Do you want a COVID-19 testing solution that integrates with your COVID-19 management system?
You may choose to provide your employees with a list of COVID-19 testing locations for them to independently access, but most employers will opt to work with a testing vendor. Look for a self-collect COVID-19 testing solution that you can order via your management portal. These kits are mailed to your office or directly to employees, and a saliva sample is returned to the lab via mail. Results confirm if the virus is detected. This is an entirely remote process that will add another layer of security to your re-entry and ongoing health plan.
Learn More: 10 Return-to-Work Compensation Strategies for Remote and Furloughed Workers
3. Reevaluate Your Employee Wellness Strategies
Finally, as you develop a strategy to bring your team back to the officeOpens a new window , remember that their health and wellness extends beyond a COVID-19 diagnosis. While it’s easy to focus entirely on keeping the coronavirus far away from your building, it’s also important to recognize the spiderweb of consequences some of your employees may be facing after months of this pandemic.
While your direct employee may be physically healthy, they could have partners at home who have lost their jobs, ushering in new financial and emotional stressors. They may have opted for remote learning for their children and now have to juggle childcare responsibilities. You may have some hybrid teams who are learning to function with some of their colleagues remaining remote while others work in-person in the office. All these new dynamics can impact your employees’ mental health and, ultimately, their productivity.
Now is an excellent time to consider what kind of work environment you’re offering your staff. Can you:
- Offer more flexible hours?
- Provide training for managing a hybrid team?
- Better promote your employee assistance programs?
- Start an employee-led wellness program that encourages exercise, healthy eating, and meditation at the office?
Maintaining a healthy workforce should always be a priority, even after the pandemic ends. Ensure you have policies and programs in place to support a holistic, comprehensive approach to your employees’ health.
Learn More: 4 Tips for Managing Open Enrollment in the COVID-19 Era
Use This Situation To Create a Better, Healthier Office
COVID-19-19 took almost every company by surprise back in March, and while some won’t be able to recover, those who could adapt and survive can make their workplaces safer and healthier. Start by implementing these three simple solutions at the office and see the benefit of prioritizing a healthy workforce in the long run.
Which best practices have you considered to bring employees back to work? Tell us on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window .