COVID-19 and Your Business
In the past few weeks, we addressed the Coronavirus in the newsletter and in person with a number of our clients. The increase in media coverage and reports of cases of the virus in California have people on edge in companies, supermarkets, and while traveling about.
To assist you in your efforts to communicate with your employees clearly, we have created an
Interim Practices for Disease Prevention Policy
that you can distribute and implement at your company. You can download the policy
here
and add your logo to the document before you post or distribute it electronically. This policy will supplement the sick policy in your Employee Handbook. If you have questions please contact
me.
The CDC has advised the U.S. they should be prepared for serious interruptions to businesses like there have been in China (people working from home, etc.). We are including a
Telecommuting Agreement
that you can modify or contact us for assistance in modifying. You can download the agreement
here
. There are highlighted sections on the document that you should think through before you implement it. For example, under the current circumstances, the company may need to pay a portion of the employees' home Internet, etc. because the employees DON’T have the option of coming into the office, assuming the company makes it mandatory to stay home. In California, there is a requirement to reimburse employees for expenses they incur in performing duties for their employer. For additional information or to review the CDC business guidance on the Coronavirus, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
In additio
n to the CDC information site, Orange County Health Care Agency has current information on cases
in O.C., Q&A's, an infographic, and links to additional resources for you to use when communicating with your employees. You can find similar agencies in Los Angeles, San Diego, and throughout California.
The situation on Coronavirus is changing daily. The best way to combat the FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) factor at your company to communicate to your employees that:
- You are following the CDC recommendations
- You are receiving up-to-date information from the OC Healthcare Agency
- You are monitoring illnesses at your company and you are adhering to sick policies
- You are preparing contingency plans if they become necessary
Please reach out to us with any questions on policies. We are monitoring the situation closely and will work with you on employee communications and policies.
Sincerely,
