How can employers help employees impacted by coronavirus?
Well it’s worth considering the following:
- Make sure everyone in your business is aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. Things like how to report sickness, their sick pay entitlement and any additional cleaning requirements? If they are not clear, make sure you communicate this to them asap.
- For those who are still based in the office, ensure social distancing rules are being maintained where possible including both work and break out areas.
- Make sure employees have the most up to date knowledge.
- Make sure your office has the facilities & supplies to keep your staff safe – hand washing areas with soap, water and paper towels. If possible, provide hand sanitiser and tissues.
- Be aware of those colleagues who would be classed as vulnerable, or more at risk, and ensure appropriate action is taken.
How should you adjust working conditions for those impacted by coronavirus?
After any virus, and it seems common with COVID-19, it is not unusual to be left with a prolonged feeling of tiredness. For many this may mean energy levels take some time to return to normal which may impact upon their ability to fulfil full-time work commitments.
Where possible consider the following adjustments:
- Carry out a health assessment before they return to work to make sure workplace adjustments are made
- Wherever possible supporting the working from home option may well cause less stress and more flexibility within the working day – all of this may help with post infection fatigue. It could also beneficial to the employee to phase their return to work, so they can gradually build up to their normal task delivery and normal hours
How to help employees return to work after contracting coronavirus
It can be stressful for anyone returning to work after time off, but after illness its often a lot more daunting. You might be compounding it by a myriad of emails and correspondence, all of these things can often overwhelm and cause not only loss of productivity, but also frustration and added stress.
- Provide return to work colleagues with time to acclimatise and prioritise, with designated adjustment time where appropriate.
Managing your Finances can be tricky after contracting COVID
For some people sickness can be financially challenging and getting reduced pay when sick can affect a person’s recovery. Consider the following actions to support your colleagues with their finances:
- Have a visible, accessible, and clear sick pay policy
- Provide a debt counselling service as part of your employee benefits offering
If you need some support or advice on helping your staff post COVID then please get in touch.
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