The ongoing pandemic has raised questions about health and safety like never before. However, lulling into the false sense of security in the form of risk assessments, infection control, and track and trace is not enough.
Willis Towers Watson, global advisory and strategic partner of the World Economic Forum, found that two in five companies in the UK (see more here) have made significant changes to their original employment benefit scheme due to the COVID-19 crisis.
As we move forward and finally seem to be getting closer to a post-pandemic world, businesses are on the verge of facing tremendous challenges. More business owners need to work on new approaches to strengthen their position and scale their business.
While doing so, they need to consider their current commitments and working methods along with their home life.
Health and safety should be a priority at this time, in the context of rapid advancements and more and better security policies.
Organizations with strong health and safety infrastructure will be in the best position to move forward in the post-pandemic world. Let’s take a look at how you should revise your business’ health and safety policies during these complex times.
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Implement the Lessons Learned From the Present Methods of Working
While companies are engaging in plans and strategies to return to previous working models, they should equally aim to revive human capital and their original capabilities.
Rather than counting the consequences, it's time to find solutions to all of them. You can start by redesigning your office space, keeping crowds to a minimum, and adhering to new health and security regulations.
To that end, it is essential to gain your team's trust and understanding. Engagement and communication are key to implementing new policies and moving forward.
Health and Safety Policies Should be Included in Marketing Strategy
At the same time as working to gain your team's trust, it is vital to act strategically when promoting health and safety measures.
For instance, sharing the health and safety measures you have chosen for your work place with your team and staff is a great place to start. Suppose you own a hotel. You can start by showcasing your plans to create a safe space for guests and staff.
Creating trust and confidence to go forward with your rebuilding journey is essential. So, for starters, establishing a clean environment is crucial.
Hiring professional cleaning services like these professionals will help to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene.
Monitor your new Health Measures
It is reasonable to expect some monitoring measures to grow into extensive forms of invasive health monitoring. Soon, this may turn into a usual way of operating in the long run.
For instance, active monitoring of health, from screening for viruses to temperature monitoring, active implementation is vital.
It is also important for everyone to understand how these changes may impact on their privacy, including in unanticipated ways. It is essential to clear communicate while these new health measures are so important.
Evaluate the Impacts on Individuals
Microsoft’s 2021 report (read here) demonstrates the impact more than one year of remote work has had on the tech giant’s employees.
In the survey, 73% of employees expressed an interest in continuing to work from home or have flexible options in a post-pandemic world. Also, 66% businesses are now considering redesigning their physical spaces for a hybrid work environment.
Employees working remotely need to be able to protect their health and safety while adhering to all their duties to their company, wherever they work from.
Communication Is Key!
Before you start executing your plans, it is important to comply with the official recommendations from the authorities.
The methods you implement to bring all of this together will be key to your success. Knowing the methods applied by fellow business owners and companies to communicate with their people is crucial to address the new health, safety, and wellbeing issues post pandemic.
The Edelman Trust Barometer of 2021 (read here) shows that at the most trusted information source is communication from employers, with 61% of staff members saying they trusted information issued from this source.
So, moving forward, it is important to take one step at a time, starting by clearly communicating your new policies and plans addressing to your employees.
Final Thoughts
Now is the time for all business owners to plan out their new policies and procedures to be ready to implement them as soon as they begin work in the post-pandemic period. Your business’ health and safety policies is the first thing that needs attention.
Returning to business means making sure that you protect the health and safety of your employees, clients, and visitors.
Furthermore, you need to ensure that they feel confident that they are safe and their wellbeing is protected. Revising your health and safety policies to reflect the new reality is key to achieving this.