Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, the workplace will continue to harbor the potential for another outbreak. As states begin to reopen for business, it’s critical that employers provide policies and practices for maintaining a workplace where employees are as comfortable and safe as possible.

Getting to Work
For companies in large cities where employees rely on mass transit, employers might want to consider providing alternate company sponsored car pooling or group transportation where hygiene and social distancing are easier to control.¹

Using Technology
Along with teleworking, companies might want to continue teleconferencing, and videoconferencing for meetings even while in the office. Otherwise, meetings should be limited in size and be held in open spaces with adequate ventilation and air flow.²

Cleaning
Of course, the general office space should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Hand sanitizers and wipes should be available for employees to clean their own keyboard, phone, door handles, and other surfaces in their own workspaces. Also, items such as keyboards and headphones shouldn’t be shared. ^1,2

Maintaining Airflow
The CDC recommends “opening windows or adjusting air conditioners to increase air circulation and flow.” Air filters should, also, be changed and maintained regularly. The CDC recommends employees may even want to have small fans in their workspaces to keep the air flowing and hopefully germs away.²

Wearing Face Masks
Most cities have begun to require people to wear face masks in public. Similarly, employers might want to encourage employees to wear face masks when not within their own cubicle or office space.²

Reducing Density
No hand-shaking, please. Split workers into groups, alternate who shows up in person, or stagger schedules. Add physical space and barriers between workers such as cubicles. Avoid close back-to-back or face-to-face configurations.¹

Eating 
Encourage employees to stay at their workspace for meals instead of eating in a break room or venturing outside to restaurants where safety precautions aren’t as carefully maintained. Also, advise employees to bring their own dishes, utensils, and napkins when possible. Employers that have cafeterias should enhance screening and hygiene and require workers to wear face masks and gloves. Group meals and break rooms should be discouraged.^1,2

Traveling
At least for a while, all travel should be discouraged to minimize outside exposure. That is particularly true for international travel. It will also be important to review exposure levels for destination cities before traveling anywhere.^1,2

Communicating
Be sure to let employees know what is going on via email, teleconferencing, and videoconferencing. Update everyone as to timelines and/or current safety measures and protocols. Follow government directives for work spaces whether it be at an office or manufacturing plant. Facilities operating in a variety of locations may face a variety of safety protocols. Again, it will be important for employers to work up a plan for each facility and communicate with employees.^1,2

^{1 https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-keep-workers-healthy-on-the-job-11587311057}

^{2 https://www.zenefits.com/workest/making-your-office-safe-to-return-to-after-coronavirus/}