The coronavirus pandemic has seen unprecedented numbers of remote workers as companies take steps to slow the spread of the virus. However, not every job can be done remotely. There are thousands of positions across the country that are considered essential that require employees to work on-site during the pandemic.
Just as companies are forced to adapt to a larger staff of remote workers, many are also adapting to keep employees still working on-site safe.
Keep Employees Safe
For employees that still have to come into work, their health and safety should be a top priority. Having to work on-site during the pandemic is very stressful for employees. They’ll feel better about coming in to work if they know that all safety precautions are being taken to keep them safe. Workspaces should be kept clean and all safety rules and regulations should be followed, if not exceeded.
Maintain Social Distancing
Keep employees at least six feet away from one another. When possible, limit the number of employees at the office or in one location at one time. Employees should have a private space in which to work that allows them to maintain the required social distance from their coworkers. That space should be used only by one employee, so they aren’t worried about contamination from a coworker who may be sick.
Communicate Regularly
Regular communication is key to employees successfully working together whether they’re working on-site or working remotely. Managers should regularly share safety and health information with on-site staff to show the company’s commitment to keeping their workforce healthy and safe. They should also make sure to educate on-site staff about what to do if they suspect they or a coworker has been infected.
Ask for Feedback
The COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing we’ve been through before. Therefore, as well as companies have had to adapt to the crisis, there may be room for improvement. Ask the on-site staff for feedback. They’re the ones actually experiencing the effects of the health and safety policies the company has put in place to protect them. They may have ideas about how to improve those policies that managers or employees working remotely wouldn’t have thought of.
Recognize and Reward Employees
The pandemic is stressful for everyone, on-site employees and remote workers alike. Even as employees are trying their best to contribute and continue to work hard, there is still a lot of uncertainty due to the pandemic. Something managers can do is recognize their employees’ hard work. A simple thank you can go a long way towards improving morale and making employees feel valued.
