07 Dec Mitigating COVID-19 risks when returning to the workplace
Research by professional services firm PwC shows many businesses are gearing up to support staff towards a partial or full return to the office. But how people work will now be very different.
According to its research, 50 per cent of organisations surveyed say staff will expect higher protections at work when they return to the office, while 67 per cent have established ways to track the location of their staff and remote ways of working.
PwC’s investigation shows businesses are designing workplaces that enable social distancing in the lead-up to staff coming back into the office. They are remodelling office infrastructure by fitting desks with plexiglass shields, creating space between workstations and investing in tools like collaboration software. They have also put in place sanitisation protocols and scheduled more stringent, regular cleaning of premises.
Vanessa Giannos, founder of The HR Experts, says it’s a good idea to step up office cleaning so surfaces are disinfected every night. “Provide hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes and ensure everyone has their own headset. If the business is still hot desking, ensure everyone thoroughly wipes down their desk, keyboard and mouse with disinfectant wipes.”
“Every business will have its own protocols, and it’s essential to follow health authorities’ advice”
Giannos says a tag team approach is one way to maintain social distancing, with different teams working different shifts. “Any vulnerable employees should remain working from home.” She also says this time can be an opportunity to build the business’s culture. “Encourage people to find new ways to connect, collaborate and support each other.”
Cover counts
Insurance also has a role to play as people transition back to more usual working arrangements, says Michael White, Steadfast’s broker technical manager.For instance, businesses face a potential liability should a staff member or visitor to their workplace contract COVID-19 as a result of being exposed to the disease while there.
Even before that, businesses have responsibilities to ensure their staff are protected should one of the team’s relatives, household members or even someone who works in the building comes into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Every business will have its own protocols, and it’s essential to follow health authorities’ advice.
But firms should be ready to require staff to work from home should they be exposed to someone who has the virus.“Businesses must ensure their workers’ compensation policies are up-to-date and reflect any changes that have happened in the business. This includes making sure payroll declarations are correct,” White explains.
“It’s often the only way firms that suffer an insurable event are able to pay their expenses and wages. Banks are often reticent to lend to businesses that don’t have any income after a disaster, especially if they already have significant borrowings,” he adds.
The message to small businesses is not to forget your broker when times change. Because it could make a real difference should one of the business’ risks come to fruition and the proprietors are relying on their cover to continue as a going concern.
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Important disclaimer – Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd ABN 23 059 370 455, AFSL 244427.
The views expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd.
This magazine provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this magazine, including any information contained on it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the product disclosure statement for any product that the information relates to it before acquiring the product.
Information is current as at the date articles are written as specified within them but is subject to change. Watkins Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information.
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Source: – https://www.steadfast.com.au/well-covered/insurance-for-established-business/mitigating-covid-19-risks-when-returning-to-the-workplace