The light shines for employees who have been working from home. The distribution of vaccines worldwide gives people hope. It is one way of fighting the pandemic until it is over. Moreover, companies might ask their employees to return to office work.
Offices were left abandoned since the pandemic started. People started to work from home, and workplaces were left uncleaned. There are several challenges that workers may encounter once they return to work. Offices have accumulated dust and bad odour as there are no people to sanitize the workplace. Business owners will need to expect these challenges. They have to come up with an initiative to solve these issues.
What do business owners do to prepare their offices for work in post-pandemic? There are several steps that employers may start to prepare for their employees. These can help the workforce return to work. Here are some important ways to guide everybody.
Have workers undergo testing
The pandemic had caused many people to stay out of work. People even become anxious about working at the office for fear of getting infected. Some even went to look for other jobs that offer work from home. Health has become an issue for most of the workers in society.
But here is how to avoid issues about infection. Employers should have their employees tested for sickness first. COVID-19 testing is a way to get back to normal. It is a strategy to know who needs treatment and to keep others safe. Everybody knows that vaccines are ready and rolled out. But being tested is fundamental to avoid the spread of the disease. It is the only way to ensure health and safety in the working environment.
Clean and disinfect the workplace
Cleaning and disinfection of workplaces are also necessary. All workplaces must undergo a thorough cleaning before people start to work there. Employers must ensure that all areas are disinfected and cleaned. They can hire reputable cleaning services that can disinfect the office for protection.
One way to ensure cleanliness in the workplace is to remove dust from keyboards. These types of equipment accumulate dust and dirt more than any equipment in the workplace. Another thing that needs thorough cleaning is the carpet. Carpets collect dust and are often a source of unwanted odour when left unclean. Some maintenance personnel even disinfect lockers that may be a source of other diseases. Cleaning and disinfection is one safe way to keep employees avoid infection.
Follow what the government says about on-site work
Government laws will always have a say on what employers need to do. The government will provide guidelines to ensure the safety of employees returning to the office. They have the final say on how many employees need to work on-site. The government has roles and responsibilities that they have planned for the pandemic. Thus, it is better to follow what the government has to say to workers.
Employers may follow the rules given by the government. They may also decide what percentage of the workforce should be present. But if the government says that it should only be 50% of work capacity, they should follow the rules. It is a way to safely transition the workforce to a “new normal” policy.
Promote safety protocols
One way to prepare for the new normal life is to remind employees about safety protocols. Safety protocols intend to keep employees and others avoid sickness in any workplace. Health and safety protocols are well-planned and approved by the World Health Organization.
Washing hands each time people go outside is one way to prevent the spreading of disease. Any virus cannot last from exposure to soap. Thus, 20 seconds of hand washing can eliminate the virus and stops it from spreading.
Wearing face masks is also a need for all people going outdoors. Face masks prevent droplets that come from those who carry the virus unconsciously. It also protects people from getting exposed to sickness. Face masks are now an essential thing that everybody should wear.
Social distancing is also another way to prevent any infection of the disease. It may be a challenge to some workplaces, three meters of distance is safe enough to avoid infection.
Usage of alcohol is also necessary as a replacement for soap. It is an alternative when somebody cannot wash their hands. It is a great option to disinfect the hands when exposed to unfamiliar surfaces.
Everybody knows that the pandemic made people’s lives different. People need to accept that they have to live in the new normal from now on. The best way to protect everybody is to make proper hygiene a priority. The process can sound simple and help avoid sickness.
