Answers to the Difficult Covid-19 Return to Work Question

Question: What are some strategies and practical tips you would provide to business owners as they embark on the process of reopening their businesses and returning employees into the physical workplace?

1. Remember your core values that are the cornerstone of your business. Employees are a tremendous asset and must be treated fairly, consistently and with respect and dignity.
2. Communication during this pandemic crisis is critical and how you communicate with transparency is key to sustainable success.
3. Establish, document and distribute policies and expectations for the workforce which should include what the business is doing to protect them and customers, help them manage through the crisis, and means of providing guidance and support including points of contact for questions and concerns. Remember confidentiality obligations.
4. Training is critical – all people leaders (managers/supervisors) must be trained on the policies and be given the opportunity to ask questions and understand the “why” so they can become one voice and consistent messaging during implementation.
5. If any positions of the workforce can remain remote and successfully contribute and add value to the business explore keeping it that way to ensure the safety and well-being of those employees. If you are using curb side pickup services or limiting access through various strategies for customers to enjoy your products or services do your best to continue operating in this manner for as long as possible to protect your employees and customers.
6. Monitor progress frequently, as in weekly or even daily in consideration of external factors we continue to learn about to ensure your policies and practices are flexible, fluid and robust enough to adapt quickly during this crisis.
7. Finally, remember that sometime in the very near future people will look back and evaluate what your business did during the crisis. Everything you do today becomes your branding and how you will be judged in the future as an employer and as a business. If you are accountable, responsible and put people first you will enhance your brand and recognition for future business growth.

Organizations that established an engaging culture which promulgated trust and respect are going to find this process of returning to the new normal much easier than those who failed to build a productive and engaging culture of trust and respect. It is never too late to build a trusting culture that is inclusive, respectful and engaging. However it does take time and requires the right guide to help you achieve the journey successfully. 

Be safe. Stay healthy and take care!