This year unemployment has risen significantly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important now more than ever to put procedures in place to avoid making your employees redundant and continue with business while creating a safe work environment. We have listed below some ways to help your business retain employees during covid-19.
Be Flexible
With most states being in lockdown, several businesses have opted for their employees to work from home. As an employer, you will need to be flexible when it comes to working remotely.
Here’s How You Can Be Flexible:
- With childcare establishments and schools closing, a good majority of your employees will also be looking after their children while they work from home. It is important to be sensitive and flexible to each employee’s situation.
- Routine business procedures will have to change. When not everyone is in the same location, it can become a little trickier to run your business the ‘normal’ way. Set up teams and have a designated leader to keep everyone informed of changes and be flexible when communication is delayed.
- Reassure your employees that in the event they are ill from Covid-19 that they will receive sick pay and not lose their jobs. The majority of contracts will not include anything about what to do in a pandemic, so consider adding an amendment to cover you and your staff for any future implications.
- Create a contingency plan for is lockdown is extended or any future effects it might have on your business.
Get up To Date With Health And Saftey
By now, you should have cleaning procedures in place throughout your workplace. Ensure you are up to date with the government rules. It is imperative that you have designated sanitizer stations for employees and customers deep cleaning your offices or shops etc. If an employee falls ill with Covid-19, close off their work area and wait as long as possible before disinfecting the area.
How To Prepare Working Remotely
Having your employees work remotely can come with its own challenges. Make sure you are equipped with all the necessities, such as
- Communication portals – Software such as zoom, slack, and Gsuite are all good portals installed on employees’ computers. This will allow communication within the workplace to flow efficiently.
- Safety procedures – Install a VPN and ensure that all employees log off or lock their computers when not in use. Also, it would be wise to set up two-factor authentication for all employees.
- Create a safe space – Let employees know that they can still come to you with their concerns, whether work-related or personal (that affects their work performance).
- Provide equipment – It is your responsibility as an employer to provide your employees with the necessary equipment for them to carry out their work effectively. This is in the form of computers, phones, and internet usage.
At the end of the day, you want your employees to continue working for you and be happy. Look at competitors and see what incentives they are using and match or better them to keep your employees loyal.
