Opening Up Your Workplace Again - Part 4

Return to Work in Phases: The Guidelines encourage a return to work in phases, if possible. In order to do so, employers should review their physical layout and consider the following:

• Returning an increasing percentage of employees over a period of time;
• Returning only certain areas of the company, or employees on alternating days;
• Spacing between employee work areas (i.e., every third desk);
• Workspace alterations (cubicle installation or glass partitions);
• Installing signs denoting workspace and common area use restrictions;
• Coordinating with landlord (safety, hygiene, cafeteria and elevator usage); and
• Ensuring adequate number of masks and cleaning supplies for employees returned.

Continuing to Work Remotely: The Guidelines encourage a continuation of remote work whenever possible and feasible with business operations. Having had a significant number of employees working remotely for the last six weeks with little advance planning, employers should now consider a more formal remote work plan that:

• Requires a formal request/application;
• Requires employees to enter into a formal agreement;
• Confirms compensation, working hours, and reporting expectations;
• Ensures adequate workspace, equipment and office supplies;
• Protects company confidential information and property; and
• Ensures well-being (schedule, interaction with colleagues, etc.).

Non-Essential Travel: The Guidelines also encourage employers to continue to minimize non-essential travel and adhere to the CDC's guidelines regarding isolation following travel.  In doing so, employers should:

• Evaluate the COVID-19 risk profile in the location of travel;
• Balance the value of a face-to-face meeting with a virtual meeting;
• Be prepared to address employee fears of travel (air, hotel, rental car, ride share, etc.); and
• Consider the fears of non-traveling employees being exposed to traveling employees.