There’s no denying the economic hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused for countless small businesses across the country. Every American is ready for this pandemic to end, but until that time, owners must continue to maintain the health of their employees and community. In this post-COVID-19 world, safe offices, warehouses, or stores succeed tremendously. If you’re looking to safeguard your business, check out these ways to protect your customers and staff during the pandemic.
Stay Informed and Educate Others
COVID-19 information often changes, with new research findings going public nearly every day. It’s essential to stay on top of guidelines, facts, and proper prevention methods during the pandemic. The best way to spread the word is by regularly updating your staff of changes in guidelines or updates on the virus itself. Hold a meeting at least once a month to provide your team with transparency.
If the workforce is informed and prepared, a COVID-19-related obstacle is less likely to impact your bottom line or the community’s well-being. Additionally, consider posting educational and precautionary images throughout your store so customers also know of new policies and protocols.
Create a Safe Environment
Fortifying your place of work or operation is one of the best ways to protect your customers and staff during the pandemic. For starters, keeping a safe and healthy environment lowers the chances of employees falling ill, spreading the virus, and missing precious work time. For an office, consider dividers between workspaces and distance your employees’ desks.
Invest in a better HVAC system. If possible, choose one equipped with a quality filter—this purchase will prove helpful even after the pandemic, helping maintain the cleanliness of your building. For stores that see many customers a day, ensure you provide well-placed hand sanitizer dispensers, keeping surfaces clean and virus-free. Social-distancing markers on the floors encourage outsiders to stand apart from others, and temperature-checking machines are an excellent investment for particular businesses, such as health care or senior residences.
Keep Sick Employees Home
Sick staff members threaten your entire workforce with the possibility of spreading the virus to others. As more employees fall ill or come into close contact, you’ll quickly become short-staffed and unable to operate.
If an individual displays symptoms or is in close contact with an infected person, it’s best to give them some quarantine time. This bottlenecks COVID-19 and ultimately provides a safer workspace for everyone, especially if your business doesn’t require masks. Additionally, it shows you care about the well-being of those who work for you.
Navigating our current pandemic landscape is challenging for everyone. At the end of the day, business owners strive to provide the safest and healthiest environment for their loyal staff and clientele. With these easy steps and implementations, your company will survive these times and come out on the other end more successful than ever before.
