MAC Members and Returning to Work

Posted on Posted in News

As we come to the potential end of this COVID-19 Stay at Home Orders in the next couple of weeks (or at least lifting some of the current orders) here are a few things we can pass along to our Members if you all wish to do so:

Here is some information from the CDC for Returning to the workplace:

Workplace Assessment:

  • During this shelter-in-place time period, conducting workplace research will provide valuable perspective on your working from home employees that could inform future remote working policies.
  • Formulating the questions to investigate will drive the research methods, which could include surveys, virtual focus groups, interviews or ethnographic studies such as photography, video and journaling.
  • Gathering this information while employees are still “in situ” at home is essential for validity.

Communications & Training:

  • The level of organizational communications prevalent during the work from home period will be maintained after employees are allowed back into the office.
  • Openly advertising protocols for visitors, social distancing and housekeeping will establish a sense of trust that employees’ health and safety are top priorities.
  • Things will be different around the office and campus post COVID-19, and a robust training and change communications program will establish the “new normal.”
  • Examples of change management techniques include establishing back-to-the-office change champions, tours and instructions for using the office space, if it has been newly re-configured for social distancing, and a variety of change communications documents, such as “Frequently Asked Questions postings” and “Stay-Safe Etiquettes guides.” (area that all of our Members may want to think about writing procedures we can help)

Safety Protocols:

Safety protocols can be adapted in various ways. 

  • Screening procedures for employees, visitors and contractors may use the Infrared Fever Scan Systems (IFss) or other health assessment measures. (these run between $50.00 to $200.00 each)
  • Staggered work times/days, or 4-day work weeks can reduce the number of employees in the office at the same time.
  • Lunch and break times can be scheduled or lengthened to minimize occupant loads.
  • In addition to social distancing and capping group sizes, centralizing trash and recycling bins with frequent disposal can slow disease transmission.
  • A clean desk policy devoid of employee memorabilia will enable the night-time cleaning crew to thoroughly clean all desks.
  • In addition to the conventional hands-free faucets, and soap and paper towel dispensers, no touch options can be considered for doors, badge readers and garbage/recycling bins.
  • The increased use of virtual digital assistants for enterprise applications is another consideration.
  • Employees may choose to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when returning to the workplace to protect the transmission of germs through contact and droplet routes.
  • PPEs include face masks, gloves and potentially goggles.
  • Organizations may also make these available to employees for personal use outside the office as an additional level of protection.