Relaunch Vernon

The safety of your staff and customers are the top priority in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. Following these guidelines will help get your workspace ready for your employees.

Steps:

• Define the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for your workplace and follow any provincial guidelines
• Establish suitable cleaning and sanitization protocols, especially in high traffic areas
• Develop screening protocols and order any necessary supplies
• Create proper distancing arrangements
• Assess shared equipment or supplies and examine options to reduce or eliminate them
• Replace HVAC air filters or clean/disinfect existing filters
• Post internal signage outlining your policies, procedures, and protocols to keep staff alert
• Ensure you are limiting gatherings of people to the current maximum guidelines
• Keep entry points clear to prevent congestion
• Provide hand sanitizer for staff and guests

Tips:

• Consider hiring a professional cleaner to perform a deep clean
• Mark floors with tape to indicate safe distancing
• Temporarily move employees that normally share spaces or work in close proximity
• Have a designated single entry and exit point
• Temporarily close or limit occupancy in common areas
• Ensure there are adequate supplies in washrooms at all times
• Encourage teleconferencing even after restrictions are relaxed

Your staff must be well informed before and after your re-launch. Regular communication will ensure everyone is aware of changes and how their safety is being addressed. Follow these guidelines to help your team feel confident and ready to get back into the workspace.

Steps:

• Provide information and training on all changes to policies and procedures
• Educate your employees on physical distancing, proper hygiene, and correct PPE usage
• Provide PPE for all employees. This includes masks, hand sanitizer with a minimum 60% alcohol, masks and face shields if necessary
• Provide cleaning products so employees can keep their workspaces clean and disinfected. This includes disinfecting wipes, hand soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizers
• Screen employees before every shift to ensure they are healthy and they have not been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. Employees who are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms must stay home and follow quarantine guidelines.
• Stop handshaking or other physical forms of contact
• Discourage and limit the use of shared equipment
• Limit the number of employees in the office at any given time
• Check the mental health of your employees and provide them with options to talk with professionals
• Keep the lines of communication open and adapt/refine your plan as needed

Tips:

• Create a rotating schedule of team members who are in the office and working from home
• Consider closing reception at lunch rather than having another employee cover the desk
• Provide electronic documents on new policies and procedures for easy reference
• Ensure employees have up-to-date contact information for all staff
• Encourage staff to download the Alberta Trace Together App to be aware of possible contact with COVID-19
• Remember, PPEs are only effective if worn and used correctly

* Although you are prepared to return to work, some of your employees may not be for various reasons related to; health, daycare, schooling, taking care of a relative, mental health or they are not comfortable with conditions. For matters related to this please see our HR Toolkit or watch our webinar with Ukrainetz Workplace Law Group discussing COVID-19 and the law.

Prepare your business space and educate your customers so everything is ready once you open your doors. Follow these steps in advance and during operations.

Steps:

• Update your website and social media, clearly identifying any new operational changes
• Post signage at the entrance of your business outlining changes and expectations of your customers
• Require customers to use hand sanitizer upon entering
• Post signage inside your business identifying areas, procedures or policies that are new
• Ensure sales registers are at least six feet apart
• Install screens between staff and customers
• Mark high traffic areas with tape or signage to keep customers and staff six feet apart
• Limit the number of people in your business to the current guidelines
• Disinfect the transaction area after each purchase, including payment machines, counter, bagging area, etc.
• Routinely clean and disinfect all surfaces
• Consider curbside pick-ups, delivery, take-out or drive-through options

Tips:

• Clearly outline what you expect of your customer. It’s only fair to let them know what is expected of them and what your business is doing to keep everyone safe
• Create disposable menus or post them online
• Discourage the use of common pens or sanitize them between each use
• Encourage customers to use electronic payments and tap functions whenever possible, avoiding the use of cash
• Place garbage cans near entrances to safely contain disposables and reduce litter
• Create a routine cleaning schedule or checklist of frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, switches, countertops, handles, desks, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.