More likely than not, employers will at some point have an employee that has tested positive for COVID-19. This can present a challenge for employers, who must handle the issue with sensitivity, yet limit the possible exposure to other employees. The following steps should be taken when an employee alerts you that they have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Have a Discussion
If you are alerted via email or voicemail, pick up the phone and call the employee. First, ask how the employee is feeling. The employee might be feeling well currently but may be nervous about what might be coming in terms of symptoms. Let the employee know that their workload will be covered through the illness. Next, find out which coworkers has been in close contact with over the last two weeks. If the employee works remotely, this question should still be asked in case there has been socializing outside of the workplace. Remind the employee of the quarantine guidelines for infected people.
Follow Your Protocol
If your business does not have a process in place to deal with a positive employee, now is the time to create one. The protocol should include how to mitigate the risk to others within the workplace. This includes the cleaning of the spaces that the employee was in. If possible, wait 24 hours before cleaning the area to allow respiratory droplets to dissipate. For example, if the infected person works in a separate office, shut the door, and clean it after the 24 hours. If it is not possible, thoroughly disinfect the areas the employee may have been in, including bathrooms and kitchen areas.
Review Updated Labor Laws
The COVID-19 situation is very fluid. After receiving notification of an infected employee, it is advisable to review the labor laws that are associated with the workplace for your state and county. For example, employers are no longer required to provide family and medial leave to COVID-19 patients but may want to voluntarily do so.
Alert Other Employees
Those that have been in close contact or sit or work near the infected individual should be contacted as soon as possible. Close contact is defined as being within six feet for a prolonged period of time. The CDC also has guidelines on who needs to quarantine and for how long. It is your responsibility as a company to contact everyone who has a potential exposure. The message should include CDC information as to what to do next in terms of testing and contacting their doctors, as well as an offering of support. It is important that you respect the confidentiality of the employee who is positive as well as anyone who was in close contact.
Communicate with the Rest of the Workforce
After the contacts have been made, be transparent with the rest of the workforce. Chances are, most of them will find out about the COVID-19 case anyway and it is better to come from the company itself rather than the rumor mill. You can give them the facts without divulging the identity of the infected person to retain as much confidentiality as possible.
Check in with the Infected Employee
In a few days, check in with the employee by phone or email to see how they are feeling. Some employers require infected individuals to test negative for COVID-19 before returning to work. If diagnostic testing is part of your company’s policy, it is recommended that the employee tests negative twice before returning to work.
The situation of a positive employee must be handled quickly, but with care and compassion. The news of an infected individual in the workplace can be frightening for some employees so it is best to be mindful in following all the proper steps to show your employees that you take their health and safety seriously.
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