We have all seen the media reports on COVID-19 and know now that Australia is reacting with panic and fear, with people stockpiling essential items and preparing for the worst.
As an Employer, you have a duty of care to your employees, but what does that look like at the current time where we are on the brink of a pandemic? The World Health organisation is encouraging people to channel their concerns into action to protect ourselves, our loved ones and community. We encourage employers to do the same by considering the following:
- Encourage good hygiene and provide appropriate resources to protect your employees The World Health Organisation has advised you can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:
- Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. - Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. - Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. - Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread viruses. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
- Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Furthermore, NSW health minister Brad Hazzard has advised: “It’s time for us to cease the handshaking”, “It’s a very Australian thing to do, to put your hand out and shake hands… I would be suggesting… it is time Aussies actually gave each other a pat on the back for the time being,”.
We suggest you share this information with your employees, establish general greeting habits and provide employees with the appropriate resources (i.e hand wash, paper towels, sanitiser, desk wipes etc) to ensure they are able to adequately protect themselves.
2. Encourage employees to stay away from the workplace if they feel unwell
Encourage employees to stay at home if they are unwell and particularly if they have respiratory symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, etc. Employees with respiratory symptoms should seek medical advice and follow the directions of health authorities. Employees who develop symptoms while at the workplace should leave work immediately and seek medical advice.
3. Keep informed and respond accordingly
There is a lot of information circling in the media. We encourage your focus to be on keeping up to date on information and advice from the World Health Organisation and Federal and State government. If this information requires action you should respond accordingly.
4. Communicate with your employees
Reassure your employees that you are taking the situation seriously by regularly communicating with them, this is likely to be daily should the situation worsen. Provide updates and advice on ways they can protect themselves and the steps you are taking to protect them.
5. Have a Crisis Management Plan in place
We have heard reports of businesses being closed due to employees developing flu-like symptoms. Businesses have encouraged their employees to stay home as a precaution while test results are pending. As an employer do you have a plan in place if your business is suddenly shut down due to an employee becoming unwell? We are strongly encouraging employers to act now and have a crisis management plan in place. This enables an employer to react quickly if they are impacted. We strongly believe it is much better for you and your employees and your business to be prepared than to simply react if the worst-case scenario plays out.
6. Ensure you have a Working From Home policy (if applicable)
While many jobs require people to be physically present, if you are a business that has the resources to enable people to work from home, you should ensure you utilise this (particularly where an employee may be self-quarantined). If you have employees working from home it is important you have a Working From Home policy in place to minimise your Workplace Health & Safety risk.
7. Employee Matters is here to help
If you need help preparing communications, policies, crisis management plans, or your business is currently impacted by COVID-19, please contact our team of Employee Experts at info@employeematters.com.au or by telephone at 02 8021 4206 to find out how we can help.