When the coronavirus crisis hits a company economically, the business owner wants to ensure their business survives. The employer wants to continue to take good care of their staff as well. But what can they do for them? Make sure their employees have a good workplace at home and can work safely at their company. Read on to learn how you can work with your staff to get your business through the coronavirus crisis.
Working From Home
Everyone now works from home as much as possible, although this was not common practice for many companies. It is the largest homework experiment ever. With various digital options business can keep running from home. Companies need to make sure that their employees can work in a responsible manner even when they are working from home. This includes the layout of the workplace at home, agreements about breaks and the maintenance of computers and equipment. Employers should Inform their employees about the health risks they run when working from home. Such as the risk of RSI complaints or work stress.
Adjust Working Hours
If working from home is not possible, it is advisable to spread the working hours of employees as much as possible. Employers can adjust the working hours of their employees. There are exceptions and additions to the general rules for working hours and rest periods for certain employees, professions and working conditions. For example, adjusted working hours, rest periods and breaks apply to children, young people and pregnant or women who recently giving birth. This also applies to employees who work night shifts.
Employment Contract
An employment contract continues as usual in times of crisis. It is good to pay attention to good working conditions in which both employer and employee can agree during these challenging times. An employee may feel the need to work more or fewer hours due to the corona crisis. He can submit a request for this to the employer and together they will look for the best solution.
Work For Employees
Normally, employees perform tasks as stated in their contract that suit their position. When the regular work ceases – as a result of the coronavirus – employers can ask their employees to (temporarily) do other work. Both the employer and employee should coordinate this together.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Employees who provide care outside the hospital or who provide guidance, daytime activities or meal support at people’s homes are eligible for personal protective equipment in specific cases. These are situations in which care for someone with COVID-19 – or suspicion thereof – cannot be postponed.
If An Employee Is Diagnosed With Coronavirus
If a doctor has determined that an employee within a company is infected with the coronavirus, the employer must send his employee home and report sick. The sick employee may only return if he and his family members are completely complaint-free for 24 hours. In most cases, the employer can ask the employee to stay at home for another two weeks to avoid any further contamination within the company.
Employees Afraid Of Contamination
There are plenty of fears surrounding the coronavirus crisis. What does an employer do if an employee is afraid of getting contaminated with the coronavirus within a company? An employer should take away the employee’s fear of contamination if there are no demonstrable reasons for fear. The employer should also apply all precautions according to the guidelines provided by the authorities. If an employer is unable to reassure their employees and they still don’t come to work, it can be considered as refusal to work. In this case, the employee is no longer entitled to receive any wages. Employers should discuss this with their employees and then confirm this in writing to him.
Motivation
Everything is different, and this may cause anxiety and even fear among employees. Yet employers want to motivate them in this crisis. For them personally and for the company. Making progress tangible in the short term can help. Employers should make the work measurable, for example, by clearly defining tasks, and making the results obtained immediately transparent for their staff.