Dr. Joseph Sliwkowski is a physician at Carewell Urgent Care in Marlborough.
Updated: September 13, 2021
10 things
10 Things I know about... Returning employees to the office
By Joseph Sliwkowski
10) Have a plan for COVID-19 exposures. Communicate with employees about what to do and who to notify if they are exposed to COVID-19, when they can return to work, and any documentation they need to provide.
9) Prioritize testing. One case of COVID-19 can become an outbreak. Make it easy for employees to get tested by providing paid time off or partnering with an urgent care provider offering customizable testing programs.
8) Encourage employees to get vaccinated. When people return to the workplace this fall, expect to see more seasonal illnesses like the flu, the common cold, and strep throat. Encourage employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza.
7) Offer mental health resources. Employees are under a great amount of stress. Some may be experiencing anxiety and depression. Create a workplace wellness program and remind employees of resources available.
6) Consider employees may return with new addictions. Stress and isolation have led to a rise in drug and alcohol abuse. Remind employees of your policies.
5) Make sure employee physicals are up to date. If employees missed required physicals, now is the time to get them done. Surveys show up to 40% of people skipped medical care during the pandemic.
4) Remind workers of safe work practices. Returning workers may not be accustomed to lifting cases of paper or standing for long periods. Bone breaks, stress fractures, joint pain, and sore backs may be more common and could lead to workers’ comp claims.
3) Check ventilation and water systems. Proper ventilation is important to limit the spread of COVID-19. Water systems should be checked for Legionella, mold, and lead, and copper contamination from corroded plumbing after prolonged shutdowns.
2) Train employees on proper hygiene procedures. Share tips on proper hygiene and disinfecting shared spaces. Provide masks and promote social distancing.
1) Make plans for employee respiratory testing. Employees working in a position regulated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration Respirator Standard CFR 1910.134 must complete a respirator fit test at least once a year.
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