March 5, 2020

Coronavirus: What Employers Need to Know

Staying ahead of the curve is more important than ever in the midst of the international conversation about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus cases. 

Separating Fact from Fear

It is important for employers to keep a level head and make rational decisions regarding workplace safety and reducing the spread of infectious disease. Stay proactive and don’t allow fear to fuel faulty decision making.

Recommended Strategies

According to the CDC, the most effective thing employers can do to prevent the spread of coronavirus is to make sure employees stay home when they are sick. 

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Actively Encourage Sick Employees to Stay Home. Inform employees to stay home:

• If they have symptoms of acute respiratory illness, a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or signs of a fever.
• Employees should be fever-free for 24-hours without the use of medication before returning to work.

Encourage Respiratory Etiquette and Hand Hygiene 

• Remind employees to sneeze or cough into a tissue.
• Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees.
• Encourage employees to wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol.
• Remember to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.

Clean Frequently

• Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs.
• Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use. (No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time).

The CDC is reminding employers:

• Don’t automatically require employees with acute respiratory illness to provide a doctor’s note to verify their illness or to return to work, since health care providers may be overwhelmed with requests. Work with employees on a case-by-case basis.

Proactive Measures

The CDC encourages all employers to be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations. Employers are taking steps to be prepared and stay in a proactive mindset.

• Plan. Involve your employees in developing an action plan. Make sure the plan is flexible. Conduct a focused review to identify gaps or problems that need to be corrected.
• Communicate. Prepare your workforce for the possibility of the continued spread of the virus. Share your action plan with employees and explain what policies/options (such as time off policies or a short term disability plan) will be available or should be utilized.
• Temporary Measures. Encourage employees to consider temporary measures, such as avoiding physical contact like a handshake. Rethink ways to respectfully greet others to contain the spread of the virus.
• Travel Ban. Consider suspending all nonessential business travel.
• Remote Work or Telecommuting. Arrangements for telecommuting or working remotely may be beneficial.
• Cross-Training. Cross-train employees to perform essential functions so the workplace is able to operate even if key staff members are absent.

Review Time Off Policies

Review time off policies, that may include PTO, sick, vacation or other leave options. Do they provide the necessary flexibility that may be required in the upcoming weeks and months?

Avoid Legal Liability

Do you clearly understand the Federal, State and local rules that may be implicated?

To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and maintain confidentiality of employees with confirmed COVID-19. 

Stay Informed

As of March 5th, 13 states have reported cases:

• Total cases: 99
• Total deaths: 10

Continue to monitor the CDC and other resources for updates.

Stay Ready

About the Author

HR thought leader, Stacy Johnston, provides innovative HR solutions with a mission to support organizations in understanding and engaging their biggest competitive advantage… their employees. Johnston writes and speaks about contemporary HR topics. She is a licensed attorney and holds the SHRM-CP and PHR credentials.