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During the current pandemic, there may be changes that you need to implement in your business to keep things operational. While these may incur extra costs, the alternative could be that you need to close your doors. For some businesses, closing down temporarily can lead to great struggles with re-opening, especially if you still need to pay rent and wages throughout this period. As long as you have not been forced to close by the government, you can take steps to allow your employees and anyone else who visits your business to remain safe.
Face Coverings
Face coverings can be used to help prevent the spread of germs associated with Covid, as well as from other potential illnesses. Factoring face coverings into your company budget may be difficult, especially if you are a new company or one which has a vast number of employees. In addition to this, you may be concerned about the environmental impact of using, and disposing of, face coverings. This is where utilising reusable branded face coverings can be helpful. Not only will these prevent the spread of germs, but they can also help protect employees outside of their work and show that you are a conscientious company.
Good Hygiene
While you hope that your employees have generally good personal hygiene when they are at their place of work, it is even more important that this occurs during a pandemic. Putting up signs around your building reminding employees to wash their hands and the importance of doing so can help to keep this knowledge at the forefront of people’s minds. Giving employees ample opportunity to use the facilities and ensuring that stocks of handwash and warm water are in good supply, can also aid in improving hygiene.
You may also opt to provide antibacterial wipes for staff to use. These can be used to clean door handles, keyboards, phones, and other high-traffic surface areas which employees may touch throughout the day.
Public-Facing Roles
If your place of employment involves dealing with customers face-to-face, you might also want to consider some safety aspects that can help both the members of the public and your own staff. This may include installing Perspex screens to keep people apart or making the use of face coverings mandatory for members of the public, just as it is for your own staff members.
Another option you might consider would be the use of click and collect, as opposed to allowing customers onto the shop floor. This means that you can still make sales via telephone, email, or a company website, and then the individual can remain outside the building to collect their purchase.
While some of these precautions may involve a lot of work on your part, they do potentially mean that your company will be able to keep operating. In addition to this, your employees may feel more secure going to a place where their wellbeing is being taken into account, especially if it is not possible for them to work from home.
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