COVID-19 has hit small and medium-sized businesses, and even regional companies, especially hard. On top of losing customers, trying to make payroll and rent, and being squeezed on either end, they have fewer resources to become experts on how to keep their workers safe. Many feel that they simply do not have the time or money to analyze pages of federal and state guidance and prepare detailed return-to-work plans. But, it need not be this way. We’ve got a solution.
Last week, we launched an easy-to-use tool that lets business of all sizes quickly develop a thorough return-to-work plan tailored to their workplaces and locations for one flat price. All it takes is filling out a simple, secure online form to provide information about your workplace(s). The system can then tell most clients how much the policy will cost and can get the process started quickly.
We can deliver this value by leveraging the best of both technology and an experienced human touch. We’ve built into the product a real-time client consult and attorney review to ensure that your customized policy meets your needs and federal/state/local recommendations and requirements. Most companies should have their policies within days.
Addressing health, employee concerns, and liability risk at once
The threats of not having a thorough plan in place are real. Experts still warn about the potential for a second wave of the pandemic. Even in the best case scenarios we’ve seen in other countries, keeping the virus under control means putting in place protections that keep it from spreading and allow a quick response if it appears. This is new territory for everyone. It only works with serious and thoughtful planning. Returning to work is one thing. Staying at work by keeping your workforce healthy is an entirely new challenge.
Employees need clear guidance on what to do (and what not to do). Equally important, employees, customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders need reassurance that you have a thoughtful, organized effort to make their health and safety a top priority.
The care with which a company plans the return to work could also affect liability. Many clients have asked us what kind of liability they could face from making one choice or another in handling the pandemic. The truth is that no one really knows. However, one thing seems fairly clear. Those who take a reasonable and thoughtful approach and make a diligent, good faith effort will be ahead of the game. OSHA has said it will take such efforts into consideration, and any liability based on claims of negligence should, as well.
Good guidance on how to proceed shouldn’t be limited to major multinational companies. We built the Return to Work Policy Generator to make sophisticated RTW policies accessible to everyone.
If you’d like to give it a try and see what’s involved,, just visit the Return-to-Work Policy Generator here.
Questions?
If you have any questions about how to get started, please contact Avi Meyerstein, Jenna Brofsky, or Rebecca Holdredge.