Preparing for COVID-19

Montgomery HR acknowledges that our clients are concerned about the health and well-being of their Employees, customers, and vendors, as well as the business implications related to the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are monitoring the situation in real-time and both have issued guidance for preventing exposure to respiratory illnesses.

It is our position that these organizations are the best resources for up to date science-based information about COVID-19. We recommend reviewing their websites regularly.

We do recommend reviewing your policies and communicating with your employees to ease concerns and anxiety around this global issue.

• Review your Emergency Preparedness plan and Business Continuity plan; if you do not have these in place or have not updated them in a while, please let us know so we can assist you.

• Review your Leave, Sick, and/or Paid Time Off policies; ensure you have a plan for employees who need extended time away from work to deal with this illness or care for a close relative.

• Review your Return to Work policy or plan; ensure you consider how to work with an employee who tests positive or is around someone who test positive.

• Review any policies around remote work and/or work from home options; consider which positions can work from home and if your business infrastructure is set up to handle large numbers of telecommuters.

• Keep your buildings and work environments clean by establishing hygiene protocols such as easily accessible hand sanitizer and tissues. Consider adding an additional thorough cleaning of your space(s) to your regular janitorial routine.

• Consider limiting business travel and networking events; review options such as virtual meetings and telecommuting.

• Provide information to employees about the common-sense actions they can take to reduce their chances of contracting or spreading the infection.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Find information for businesses, interim guidance, and frequently asked questions about the virus.

World Health Organization: Find rolling updates on the virus, workplace readiness, basic protective measures, and press briefings.

OSHA: Find safety procedures and guidance for workspaces in the United States.

Society for Human Resources Management: Find employer specific guidance on workplace policies and procedures in the United States.

The Montgomery HR team will continue to monitor the situation and employer specific impacts. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have on this issue.

Sincerely,

Montgomery HR