Covid-19: Return to work checklist for office workers
As the lockdown eases and Indian companies gradually call in their workers back into the office, implementing safe workplace practices is key for both individual health and an overall safe working environment. Experts at management consulting firm Kanvic share a list of back to work safety tips.
Adapt workplace facilities
- Install protective barriers (e.g. at cashiers and receptions)
- Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet between workstations
- Install hand sanitisers at key locations (e.g. all entry and exit points)
- Limit traffic flow in confined areas (e.g. maximum people per lift, encourage use of staircases)
Strengthen cleaning processes
- Frequent disinfection of common areas (entrances, cafeteria, lifts, meeting rooms, washrooms)
- Systematic disinfection of materials and vehicles
Implement track and trace protocols
- Temperature screening for employees and essential visitors
- Encourage use of Arogyu Setu app
- Develop process for symptom reporting and rapid contact tracing and isolation of potential cases
Encourage personal hygiene
- Provide masks and gloves to employees
- Require face covering at all times
- Strict ban of gutka, tobacco and spitting
- Communicate good personal hygiene and social distancing practices
Promote social distancing
- Require people to maintain 6 feet distance at all times
- Use video conferencing for large meetings (more than 6 people)
- Stagger lunch breaks and have 1-hour gap between shifts
Protect at-risk groups
- Favour work-from-home for:
- over 65s
- people with co-morbidities like hypertension, asthma, cardiovascular disease etc.
- pregnant women
- parents of children under 5
Amend HR policies
- Provide medical insurance
- Adjust sick leave policy
- Amend travel policies (no non-essential travel)
Ease employee logistics
- Provide special transportation for workers coming from distance or without access to personal transport
- Provide on-site accommodation where appropriate and safe to do so
