The number of COVID-19 worldwide appears to be increasing. However, most countries have begun to ease lockdown measures in an effort to reopen the economy. As a result, many employers have welcomed employees back to the physical workplace. Unfortunately, the workplace can be a source of new COVID-19 infections.
In Italy, for example, more than 40 employees at a courier company tested positive for COVID-19. The company is working with health professionals to contain the outbreak. In Germany, a meat processing plant also had sick employees. Worryingly, more than 2,000 people in the area where the plant operates also tested positive. This likely means that the infection started with employees and spread to others. In addition, in early June, Beijing also saw a surge in the number of cases and decided to impose new containment measures. A wholesale market is believed to be the source of the new infections.
Employers need to ensure that their workplace remains safe and carefully consider the measures, protocols and procedures that need to be implemented to create appropriate working conditions, with health and safety. Many employers have already taken some steps to create a safe workplace, by providing contact tracing solutions in the workplace or conducting medical screening (e.g. temperature checks) for both employees and customers before they enter the workplace.
However, employers must also provide safety to employees during their transportation to and from the workplace. Here are some suggestions to limit the risk of infection:
Work from home for employees who are not required to be in the workplace: During the pandemic, most companies have asked their employees to work from home. With the increase in COVID-19 cases, working from home should probably continue. Many employers have said that they are considering establishing remote work for 20%-50% of their staff on a permanent basis . The fewer employees in the same workplace, the lower the chances of someone testing positive for COVID-19. However, not everyone can work from home (the nature of their work does not allow them to). In these cases, workplace safety measures must be even stricter and employees and employers must be extremely careful
Promote alternative transportation and avoid public transport : The safest option is to avoid public transport. The Italian government is issuing vouchers to citizens who want to buy a bike. However, employers should also help to reduce the chances of their employees getting infected when transporting them to the workplace. Some employers offer cars to employees to . In cases where public transport cannot be avoided, employees work avoiding peak hours. should go
Appoint a “mobility manager”: In Italy, organizations with more than 100 employees have started hiring “mobility managers.” This job originally appeared in 1998 to help large organizations in busy cities find ways to assess and reduce the environmental impact of their workforce when traveling to work. The mobility manager was initially responsible for creating a map of employee travel to and from work with the aim of suggesting and encouraging “greener options.” However, it can also help mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19. The specialist can create a map that will provide rich information and assess the risks related to the health and safety of employees traveling to and from work.
