Coronavirus: tips for companies
Maybe the Coronavirus will pass us by, or maybe it will have a huge impact on our community, we just don’t know. What should you, as an employer, do to prepare? How can you ensure a healthy and safe workplace and how do you prevent loss of business?
The Coronavirus is a new flu virus. People haven’t built up resistance to it. There is also no vaccine against it yet, and it’s very contagious. That makes it dangerous and difficult to combat. Half of China has been shut down by the virus in no time, and many other countries have their hands full too. It is estimated that around $ 320 billion in trade will be lost worldwide this quarter due to the Coronavirus. It’s important to keep an eye on government guidelines.
Provide hand sanitizer and tissues
Once the virus is here, it is important to prevent it from spreading. This can be done by taking a few simple hygiene measures. Make sure everyone washes their hands regularly. Provide hand sanitizer and tissues in the workplace. Make sure everything is cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean door handles, light switches, banisters, computer keyboards and mice.
Check out these websites for helpful tips and information:
Wearing paper face masks has little effect and gives people a false sense of security. To limit contamination, you can make agreements with employees, customers and visitors not to shake hands for a while. In many countries, people are now greeting each other by touching elbows. Ask your employees to cough or sneeze into the inside of their sleeve. This prevents droplets of moisture containing the virus from entering the air.
Do you suspect that one of your employees may have been infected with the Coronavirus? Let them go home and stay home until you know for sure. Maybe some of their work can be done from home? Wait to see what their doctor says before taking further measures. If an employee is indeed infected, they will probably have to be quarantined. As an employer, you will have to continue paying their wages in this case.
Create an emergency plan now
How do you keep your business running smoothly? Create an emergency plan now.
- Take inventory of all the critical processes within your company. Which processes really need to continue every day? Which processes can be put on hold for a few weeks? And if necessary, which ones can be put on hold for months? Create a clear overview and prioritize everything.
- Not having all your employees at work can cause big disruptions. Make sure you have enough extra employees/temps available as a backup. Who will run the essential business processes?
- Your suppliers may also run out of inventory, and transport may be delayed due to a shortage of drivers. What measures can you take now to minimize the impact on your business?
- If many of your employees start working from home, will your network be able to handle it?
- In addition to preparing your business for the possible impact of the virus, it’s also important to share any relevant information with employees, customers, suppliers and visitors.
Click here for more practical Coronavirus information for businesses (in Dutch).
Perhaps the most important thing is to make sure your employees take hygiene and any necessary precautions seriously. These precautions will only work if everyone works together. Everybody needs to take responsibility and do their part to keep our community safe and everything running smoothly. Hopefully our tips will help limit any inconvenience. Good luck everyone!
At ENNIA, we are specialists in recognizing risks. Let’s stay safe and healthy by working together!
Juliska Cijntje
Cördinator Customer Relations