Preparing to reopen

As we prepare plans to re-open our businesses, this is an opportune time for HR leaders and members of the senior leadership team to partner together to determine their strategy to re-open. Some companies are considering a phased in approach, others are waiting until the majority of employees are able to return, still other firms are continuing to allow employees to work from home. Whatever your plan, be sure to align your decisions with your values and mission statements to demonstrate how decisions are being made. This will go a long way in building trust and transparency.

Below are a few considerations (not all) to keep in mind as you develop your plan:

1.      Develop a cross functional steering committee to develop and execute the plan.

2.      Create a decision making matrix to include such factors as the role, location, desire of employee to continue working from home or to return, productivity of employee while working from home, child care issues, special accommodations/high risk employees, flexible hours, staggered work week.

3.      Develop employee communications prior to bringing employees back. This helps set the expectations and prepares employees for the many changes they will see in the physical lay-out of the office as well as new protocols and policies.

4.      Some policies will need to be reviewed and/or updated such as H&S Policy, Working from Home Policy, Flex Hours, Temperature Check, Face Masks, Leave of Absence, Reporting Absences, Travel Policy, Personal Protective Equipment, Meeting Protocol and Proper Hygiene.

5.      New office look – reallocate desks to ensure the minimum of 6’ apart is maintained, taped floors with one directional arrow, limited persons on an elevator, multiple hand sanitizing stations, frequently disinfecting workstations, etc.

The time invested in creating a strategic, well thought-out plan will be well worth it in the end to ensure the healthy, safe and productivity for all employees.