As states and counties slowly reopen and loosen their shelter-in-place orders, it’s important to plan now for changes in the workplace that require brand new policies, and to update your existing policies to account for the new “new normal.” To help you get started, we’ve identified three key areas for operations and staff to update.

1. Examine existing policies and update accordingly. This may include modifying:
   1. Handbooks
   2. Expense reimbursement policies
   3. Travel policies
   4. Sick/PTO policies for expanded emergency leave
   5. Teleworking policies
2. Consider new policies to be written. This will include policies to help protect your workers while in the office. Areas to consider:
   1. Visitors policy
   2. Deliveries protocol
   3. Health and welfare checks (mandatory temperature checks, etc.)
   4. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and distancing rules
   5. FFCRA policies, especially for small businesses not previously falling into FMLA requirements
   6. Employee vacation travel reporting
3. Take a hard look at accounting and operations. Protect the company. Plan to review:
   1. Budgets for PPE, office sanitation, office health protocol and other additional expenses
   2. Comprehensive workers’ compensation policies that consider less employee on-site work and less employee travel, but also account for added exposure to COVID-19 claims
   3. General liability insurance policies to consider the effect of different ways of working and different client/vendor exposure
   4. Employer’s liability policy updates

Our HR Outsourcing experts can help you realign your policies and procedures in a way that suits your company culture and is compliant and consistent with best practices. Contact us to learn more. And for the latest information on keeping your organization running through disruption, visit our COVID-19 Resource Center.

May 11, 2020