A new strain of the virus that’s impacted many people in China and also spreading to other parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has now declared the Coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern. Every passing day more and more people are coming under the radar of this epidemic, which has become a significant concern for workplaces globally. 

Some companies have stopped operations in China and are coming up with protective measures to fight this battle. Scroll through this article to know how companies can ensure that they are prepared to deal with the impact of the Coronavirus at the workplace.

Travel safety information

Those employees who are traveling to affected areas should be provided with proper information about how the Coronavirus is transmitted, its symptoms, and how to avoid exposure. The organization should keep a tab on the employees while they are in transit, about their stay and help them with the contact information of local health departments.

Proactive measures 

Asking the employees to take leave is not the only option; the employers should tie-up with a respected medical facility to get the first check-up done. Employees spend their maximum time in the office with many people. Companies should provide the basic facilities if there are any symptoms of the virus and also organize flu vaccination camp to be prepared for any contagious virus. 

Work from home 

Employers should communicate clearly that employees who have symptoms of a potentially contagious illness must not report to work while they are sick. Even employees should stay at home from work because they can risk damaging the productivity of the entire workplace. Meeting people in person leads to a high probability of spreading the virus. Companies should encourage virtual meetings to avoid gathering at the workplace. 

Appropriate communication

The HR department plays a vital role in managing the entire crisis at the workplace. The HR department needs to roll out appropriate communication about the Dos and Don’ts of Coronavirus. The message should be spread using information from authentic sources such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and not any myths or rumors. Apart from the HR managers, the senior management should walk the talk to ensure that employees are not panicking. 

Office cleansing 

The entire office should go through an intense cleaning process during the weekends, and the cleaning schedule can be increased around the work stations, boardrooms, washrooms, and all the prominent places. Employers can also place hand sanitizers around common areas and give the N-95 masks, which are used by healthcare workers and are one of the most effective covers. 

Regardless of any virus, the employers must ensure a safe and better workplace for the employees and also ensure they should have adequate policies in place to deal with similar events in the future. On the other hand, employees should also be equally aware and responsible for their health and workplace. Employers and employees need to be on the same page to overcome any such crisis.