How to Get Back to Work Post COVID-19

Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash

by Joshua Botello

On March 19, 2020, the State of California issued a Stay At Home order for all residents and businesses (deemed nonessential) to close and minimize the spread of COVID-19. After approximately 7 weeks the order went into effect -- at the time of writing this article -- many businesses and workers have felt the stress of paying bills, protecting their families and livelihoods.

Getting Back to Work

Now that the end is in sight and a plan to open up the economy is nearly formed, many businesses will need to be “phased in” to opening back up. However, the riskier “hands-on” vocations will be scrutinized to maintain the safety of patrons and workers alike. 

The question is: how can business owners ensure the safety of customers and workers while balancing a healthy financial recovery? Here are some ideas of what that might look like.

Social Distancing

Business owners will primarily need to protect their customers if they want to remain open. The same measures may still apply -- as they currently do with essential business -- to maintain a healthy environment. Social distancing measures such as 6 feet apart in lines and shields for registers may be commonplace for a while to discourage close contact with employees and customers.

Limited Storefront Access. Business owners may need to keep access to a minimum -- for employees only -- and may encourage pick up of items ordered online, by phone or requiring face masks to enter. 

By Appointment Only. Beauty salons may see a need to schedule appointments and minimize the number of customers and staff in a building at a given time with seating at a healthy distance to keep patrons safe.

Outdoor Dining. Dining “Al Fresco” with a safe social distance in the fresh air and sun may become popular again to ensure a safe distance between customers. 

Worker Protection

Personal Protective Equipment or PPE has become a new phrase that will stick around for a while in the common vernacular. Here are some ways businesses can use PPE for workers:

Masks & Gloves. Workers with more close-quarters contact will likely need masks and gloves to do their jobs with an ample supply to replace as needed.

Cleaning Supplies. Businesses will need to invest in supplies to clean and disinfect daily or hourly and maintain a safe environment.

New Policies. Protection policies may include mandatory washing and sanitizing facilities on-premises, training on cleaning and face touching avoidance, outdoor accommodations for breaks/lunches, and sick time for employees who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to avoid coming to work.

As a business owner, your workers are the backbone of your business, if they are not able to do their jobs and make your business money when the time comes, it will suffer again. 

Modified Hours

Modifying hours is also a good way to promote social distancing and protect employees. Let me explain:

Cleaning and disinfecting. Business owners may need to switch to shorter operating hours for ample time to clean and disinfect surfaces to be ready for the next day.

Stay open longer. Owners may need to operate longer hours to maintain social distance with lower occupancy and still maintain steady and relatively normal business flow.

Flexible scheduling. Employers can opt to create more flexible work schedules using telework plans and only requiring employees in the office a few days out of the week, if necessary. 

Staggered shifts. Business owners may also need to modify worker hours to stagger shifts to encourage social distancing and so all workers who need to work, can and maintain the hours needed for employees to keep their bills paid.

These measures, while realistic to the current climate, are only suggestions. Public health officials have not updated any guidelines for reopening businesses. For owners, this is a good place to start. Businesses will just need to find a balance of worker and customer safety with the economic health of their business. You can also consult with your local Small Business Development Center on measures you can take to ensure a safe and productive reopening of your business. Stay safe. 

Funded in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.