The River Heights Chamber of Commerce would like to add our voice to the messages you are likely receiving that our staff, members and community's health and safety are our #1 priority. We continue to monitor the daily changes with the global health pandemic of COVID-19, the Coronavirus, and are working with a fluid plan to protect our staff and members while continuing to operate.
Currently, the River Heights Chamber is open for business and moving to a “Work Distancing” model with limited staff each day and the elimination of group meetings at the Chamber office. Out of an abundance of caution and respect to decisions of our business community, the River Heights Chamber will be
suspending in-person meetings with groups larger than a few until March 30th, and practicing social distancing. This includes committee meetings, member events and public events, as well as the County-wide Business Breakfast on April 3. The March 19th Board meeting will be done as a virtual meeting. Meetings and events may be made virtual or rescheduled as possible in the days/weeks to come, so please watch your Chamber communications for updates.
The River Heights Chamber staff had the opportunity to be part of a webinar hosted by the MN Chamber in collaboration with the MN Hospital Association, a labor law expert from Stinson and the US Chamber of Commerce. We found the following information extremely helpful in preparing a plan. As we find ourselves faced with many important decisions during this global health pandemic with the Coronavirus, the River Heights Chamber of Commerce would like to offer some resources specific for employers and employees.
Please utilize the links below for resources and tips. Our business community, members, staff and families are so important to us and we ask that you continue to communicate with us as we are in this together.
Keeping Your Workplace Safe & Healthy
Best practices to stay healthy, deal with employee diagnosis and set a plan.
Preparedness Tips
- Urge employees to stay home when they are sick.
- Maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits for those who are ill or encouraged to stay home.
- Do not require a health care provider's note to validate illness or return to work.
- Identify critical functions of operation and develop a plan on how to cover those functions with increased staff absence.
- Consider cross-training
- Maximize telecommuting options
- Ensure the staff that can work from home have the tools to do so.
- Utilize options for virtual meeting: ZOOM or GO TO MEETING
If your business has larger quantities of essential staple items of dry food, cleaning/disinfecting/paper products to share with businesses in need or if your business is in need of certain items, please let us know!
