Coronavirus: A Move to Resolution

News outlets are running endless stories and updates about it. Social media has become a quick go to source to either obtain updates, encouragement, or feed: worry, panic & anxiety. It's in everyone's everyday conversations and thoughts- but how can it not be? The entire world is talking about what has now become a global-pandemic and taking significant measures to protect all, and gain control in an effort to getting back to a normal state of rest and routine. Businesses, small and large, are feeling the effects-some more than others-and as a business owner with all the information that is out there, your head may be spinning as to what to do. In order to formulate a plan of action, lets first understand exactly what the Coronavirus is, and then deal with the need of formulating a plan of action based on effective steps you can take.

Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is: An infectious disease caused by a new virus that has not been previously identified in humans. The virus itself is not reduced to members of one specific protected class that can contract it, but rather anyone is susceptible to get it without taking proper care and precaution. The virus itself causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more severe cases, pneumonia. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face. The disease is new so research is still being done to understand exactly how it is spread, but at this time. it is thought to be spread mainly from person-to-person contact. And there is no vaccine. With research as to the dynamics of the disease and possible treatments is continually evolving, the burning questions business owners are asking themselves are: What do we do and how do we properly communicate any of this to our employees? How do we carry on with our business operations? What if we have to reduce our staff, or worse-shut down?

It's imperative to implement strategies to aid in protecting your workforce while ensuring continuity of business operations, and we're here to help you every step of the way. Below, are some helpful measures to consider:

1) Educate yourself and employees. And utilize effective resources for the most up to date information and data

• Stay abreast of the information coming about as to: the sources of exposure to the virus, the hazards associated with that exposure, and appropriate workplace protocols in place to prevent or reduce the likelihood of exposure. And be diligent with informing employees of everyday precautions that help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

• Rely on trusted resources to remain current on all developments: World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

** Links to Resources below**

2) Communicate, Communicate, and Communicate

• Communication is essential and now is the time to eliminate mixed messaging.Continually communicate to your employees the steps you're taking to monitor the situation and taking appropriate action as needed, including what is planned next and why.

• Consider forming a task force or committee. Designate a person or committee to monitors developments of COVID-19, and can assist in immediate response and related updates.

• Remind employees that they should take precautions and avoid at all costs clicking on links in emails as there is an increase of phishing scams, many of which use coronavirus scare tactics and misinformation.

3) Actively encourage sick employees to stay home

• The most important and effective step in preventing the spread of the virus is to keep sick employees at home. While employers can require employees to use paid time off or sick leave, if an employee is ill and has exhausted his or her paid or sick leave, employers should consider implementing a discretionary leave policy.

• If an employee has such symptoms as cough, shortness of breath, or fever, immediately encourage them to self-quarantine and seek medical attention to be tested for coronavirus, while also remaining in close contact with their medical providers.

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) confirmed that advising workers to go home is permissible and not considered disability-related if the symptoms present are akin to the COVID-19 coronavirus or the flu.

4) Keep all work area cleaned/disinfect regularly

• Ensure that employees have ample facilities to wash their hands, including tepid water and soap, no-touch trash cans, and disinfectants-including wipes- for employees to clean their work surfaces regularly.

5) Review your business operations and make appropriate changes

• Now is the time to review your company policies pertaining to subjects like: Business Closures, Leave of Absence, Non-Harassment/Discrimination, etc. And make appropriate changes.

• Consider allowing employees to work remote if business operations can support it. Utilize teleconferencing or use other remote work tools in lieu of meeting in person if available.

• Reduce employee hours versus moving to immediately terminate their employment. Analyze where cutbacks can be made so that business operations are not greatly hindered on a temporary basis and can still function.

• Limit all domestic and international travel

• Consider staggering employees starting and departing times, along with lunch and break periods, to minimize overcrowding in common areas such as elevators, break rooms, etc.

6) Setup up emergency funds and donations that can help your employees who may be in

need

• Due to the circumstances, you may have to reduce employee hours or some employees may be unable to come to work whether it be due to their own illness or having to care for a loved one. Since personal funds can be impacted and it being difficult to obtain needed supplies from stores, take up donations (whether financial or needed supplies) to lend a hand helping in the time of need. And keep it anonymous as much as possible to protect any concerns of privacy.

7) Handle employee health-related information w/ the upmost confidentiality in accordance w/ HIPPA and privacy laws.

• Employers need to be careful about making any presumptions regarding the disease toward any specific employees- and be cautious that they treat all employees the same. Be mindful if you hear things in the workplace that may seem to target specific individuals and take proper action, including reiterating and reviewing anti-discrimination, harassment, bullying and retaliation policies and conducting investigations where needed.

• If an employer learns an employee has been tested, diagnosed, or exhibits the symptoms of the disease- that information is likely protected under HIPAA. Moreover, under the confidentiality provisions of HIPAA and related laws, "only those who 'need to know' may know about the diagnosis.

• If you have been made aware of an employees diagnosis, you should send home all employees who worked closely with that employee for a 14-day period of time to ensure the infection does not spread. Before the employee departs, ask them to identify all individuals who worked in close proximity (three to six feet) with them in the previous 14 days to ensure you have a full list of those who should be sent home.

8) Keep in mind not everyone reacts to or handles disasters/illnesses like you

• You don't know the personal traumas one may have endured in their life to question or pass judgement on how they react to different situations. You may handle certain situations one way-but that doesn't means others will too. Show compassion, respect, and understanding for others way of handling matters as they arise. Give others 'room' to come to. Because the reality is-you just don't know what someone has gone through.

9) Don't panic-but stay informed and exercise wisdom

• The easiest thing to do at this point is allow fear and panic to control you-especially if it stems purely from "opinion" rather than "facts." Research is continually evolving concerning this illness and more and more facts are becoming available by the day.

• Furthermore, there are several measure in place that our Federal Government are enacting to aid in relief efforts for not just employees impacted but also small and large businesses as well.

10) Pray

• The most important advice I want to offer you is to take some time, get still in a quiet place and pray. Of all things that you're being exposed daily and hearing when it comes to this disease-it's imperative that you do this. Pray, because it produces comfort, peace, and a sure knowing that you will make it through this-because prayer changes things. The matter is under surveillance and full control by the one above, and you have to put your trust in that. I know it may be hard and your business and employees may be experiencing some unimaginable times right now, but can I share with you-you're built for this and everything is going to be alright. And once you come to the other side of this, you will see how much stronger you're.

And so it shall be alright. I hope you take comfort in those words because this is not a permanent destination. Things may be uncertain right now and even look bleak, but know that this too shall pass and there is an "expiration date" of the suffering and time of uncertainty that has already been established. It's easy to began to walk in fear based the information that is out there, and even so much as having to make tough decisions that negatively impact your business and employees. However, now is the time to hold on and I challenge you to stay the course.

Additional Guidelines and Resources

• Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• The Department of Labor (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)