Over the past few months, we have worked with a lot of companies to roll out an approach to creating a COVID-safe workplace for employees. During that time we’ve seen some be successful and others less so. But also during that time, we’ve seen consistent elements that lead to well-implemented programs and to engaged, participating employees adopting the behaviours which leads to safer workplaces.
Whether you are thinking about rolling out a new approach to a COVID-safe workplace or already have one in place, we’ve created the 5 tips below to help you implement a best practice COVID-SAFE workplace program.
Communicate early and often
Successful programs begin with effective communication to the audience. They are consistently delivered, clearly and concisely written and with clear expectations laid out. Communications should include the ‘Why,’ not just the ‘What’ of the roll-out. Themes in the communication could include ‘to ensure your safety’, ‘keeping our facilities open and the business alive’, ‘keeping you in your job’, or something similar.
A well-designed program brings assurance in and of itself
Much like seeing others wearing masks gives you assurance as to your own safety, seeing a well thought out program being put into place demonstrates to the community that the organisation is taking their safety seriously, leading to lower tension and higher rates of confidence. People feel safer in their workplace when the barriers to gaining access have been well thought-out and are consistently applied. We have also found that the heightened awareness of thinking about their health before coming to the facility is powerful, as well.
Establish clear rules and apply them consistently
Once designed, the system should make clear what happens when an issue is presented, for instance, if a participant is “flagged”. Do they immediately go home? Is there an override function from leadership? If some people, some facilities, or some roles are treated differently, the fairness of the system comes into play, and the perception of it is degraded. These are all things that need to be planned and accounted for. Thinking about “What happens when?” can lead to a better thought out implementation.
Once in place, audience members (and leadership) realise it’s no big deal
Accepting change is a large part of dealing with a global pandemic. While sometimes there can be nervousness when a new solution is launched, when users begin to experience the system they often recognise that it works, it is simple and probably should have been in place all along. At MOHR, we ensure our programs are easy to use and can provide troubleshooting and how-to support to employers and employees alike.
If something happens, the most important thing is to be organised
The MOHR platform consolidates all of the information and acts as a key starting point for responding to an outbreak of cases. But the organisation must be ready with plans. Having clear policies and procedures in place can not only help protect the health and safety of your employees but also save money and time when dealing with COVID-19 related issues, like outbreaks and site closures.
If you would like to learn more about our COVID-19 support services contact our friendly team today to discuss what options are best for your organisation.
From onsite temperature checks for your team to contact tracing and our daily health check app, our COVID-19 workplace services are designed to support you.
