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The Next Normal
OFFICE LIFE POST-PANDEMIC
By: Molly Wood, HR Consultant, San Diego Employers Association
Vaccinations are out, restaurants and bars are open, you can go to Legoland again. Things are getting back to normal. As we get past the pandemic, many businesses are planning to have employees come back into the office. But there are several considerations regarding business protocols in a postpandemic world. Safety The most important thing to consider is safety. The CDC is recommending engineering controls including enhanced ventilation, redesigning workspace so employees aren’t facing each other, setting up physical barriers such as strip curtains or plastic shields, using visual cues to remind employees of social distancing, and providing hands-free hand sanitation and hand washing stations.
Other considerations are adjustments to communal amenities such as coffee and water dispensers and wearing face masks when mobile. Employers are still obligated to post social distancing and sanitation protocols, and enhanced cleaning is required. Before people come back to the office, these safety precautions should be in place. Employees should be educated on how the spread of COVID-19, or any subsequent variations, can be reduced. This includes frequent hand-washing, avoiding touching one’s face, avoiding touching hightouch surfaces, minimizing direct physical contact, and not sharing electronic equipment whenever possible. Equipment and hightouch areas should be sanitized regularly.
Employers also need to determine what, if any, screening protocols will be in place. Initially screening protocols were encouraged by government agencies, but as it was determined that screening was not effective with asymptomatic employees, or those with mild non-specific symptoms, many have considered these measures to be more trouble than they are worth. Perhaps the most important expectation to share with employees is to not come in when they are sick. California’s Supplemental Paid Sick Leave is required through September 30, 2021 for those who develop COVID-19, or have an adverse reaction to a vaccine, but there are many illnesses besides COVID-19 that are contagious. Don’t promote an environment that advocates May 2021 socalrha.org | 7
