Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there’s been a push for businesses to transition their team to remote working. In Australia, large companies have transitioned their staff to working from home, including Ernst & Young who moved its workforce of more than 8,000 to remote working in mid-March, and Telstra, who instructed 20,000 staff to work from home for at least a month.
However, not everyone has the option to work remotely.
Millions of Australians simply can’t do their job from home and are considered “must-show” employees. They have two options: stay at home and miss out on money or go to work and risk getting sick or making others sick.
For small businesses or startups with must-show employees, there are management strategies you can put in place to protect your employees (and customers) from COVID-19.
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry website offers resources for businesses being affected by coronavirus. WorkSafe Victoria are working as part of a whole-of-government approach to mitigate the risk of coronavirus in Victoria. WorkSafe Victoria have produced guidance to ensure employers understand their obligations to protect employees, and what controls should be in place.
Enforce Best Hygiene Practices
It should be a priority for small businesses and startups to enforce responsible hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the virus.
The World Health Organisation offers guidelines on how to properly clean your hands to prevent infection, while the Victorian Government has created posters that workplaces can put up instructing employees in how to best wash their hands. Other hygiene practices include covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, not touching your face, and frequently sanitising surfaces.
If you can obtain hand sanitiser for your employees, make it readily available throughout the workplace.
Promote Social Distancing
The Prime Minister’s media statement on 22nd March 2020 mentioned that, “Good hygiene and keeping a health physical distance between individuals is our most powerful weapon in fighting this virus and saving lives.”
It is therefore critical that employers implement rules involving social distancing to align with the Australian Government’s measures. This includes keeping 1.5 meters between individuals. In order to keep your employees safe, rearrange office equipment and lunchroom tables to allow them to keep their distance. While it’s obvious that social distancing also involves no touching, ruling out handshakes and other physical contact, other measures you can implement to reduce contact include contactless payment (to protect staff from handling customers’ cash) and virtual appointments with clients.
Communicate to Employees about Leave or Time Off
To many casual, must-show employees, the idea of taking time off due to sickness or self-isolation makes them fear losing regular shifts and possibly even their jobs. This mindset is giving rise to concerns that those impacted by the coronavirus could feel they have no choice but to hide their illness and continue to work, rather than lose pay or employment.
As a small business owner, the best thing you can do in this situation is communicate with your employees. While you might not have the financial capacity to offer sick leave, you can remain in frequent and compassionate communication with your employees about the possibility of them needing to self-isolate for 14 days or take time off work due to the virus.
Close Business and Clean Premises if Exposed
It is expected that if an employee has been exposed to COVID-19 or has been confirmed to have it, their place of business will close for thorough cleaning. Act fast and your business will resume operations in a day or two. Avoid this measure, and risk the virus spreading.
The COVID-19 pandemic requires businesses to take unprecedented measures to protect their workforce. At Melbourne Innovation Centre, we understand that it’s an overwhelming and stressful time for small business owners, startups, and employees alike. Remember to act with humanity and respect, for as an employer, the health of your team is in your care now more than ever.
The Business Resilience program is designed to assist Victorian small businesses affected by COVID-19. Support includes free access to online workshops and resources.
Business Resilience Workshops
Eligible participants can attend free virtual workshops on topics pertinent to the impacts of COVID-19 on small business. This includes strategy and resilience, finance and technology, customers and marketing, human resources, and mental health and wellbeing. Visit our Business Resilience Workshops page for upcoming topics and booking links.
The Business Resilience program is delivered by Melbourne Innovation Centre and the Digital Solutions program.
