How To Promote A Safe Workplace During The Pandemic

There have been a lot of debates on the possible ways to jumpstart the economy. Employers are torn between opening their offices now or later down the line. Before offices go back up, here are five tips in promoting a safe workplace for your employees. 

 Foster Accountability

According to the Harvard Business Review, the best way to sustain change is through 200% accountability. The first half comes from employees understanding that they need to follow safety practices themselves. The second 100% comes from employees ensuring that their colleagues are performing these practices as well. 

It doesn’t hurt to remind people of their duties and responsibilities, especially during the pandemic. Start by saying “Please” and end it with a “Thank You”. Being polite is all you need. 

Host a COVID-19 Bootcamp

Now is the best time to break the old and prevalent norms in the workplace. It is best to do this right now because no one knows what the current normal is. As offices begin to open, hold a Bootcamp to take advantage of their fragmented expectations. HBR recommends that the Bootcamp contains these elements:

• Leaders as Facilitators: Leaders must demonstrate that they are taking the whole situation seriously
• Moral Messaging: Use real stories of  individuals affected to stress the importance of compliance with the new safety precautions
• Agree on the Practices: The Bootcamp does not solely revolve around what the leaders have to say. Encourage your employees to speak up and collaborate. The practices and rules formed within the group would be more comfortable for them to perform. 

Practice Fire Drills

HBR recommends that leaders of the company perform daily fire drills. Use this to train your employees in using the new behaviors. These drills are a short but effective way of reminding employees of the importance of safety behaviors.

Perform Daily Rounds

As a leader, employers must keep their employees in check. They must maintain a checklist of the health protocols in place and whether people are abiding by it. Just like in a hospital, the workplace must always be inspected. 

Share Daily Scores to the Public

Leaders should create a grading scheme for compliance in health safety protocols. The grades after the daily rounds should be posted in a space where clients could see. No matter how embarrassingly low the grade is, it should be posted. This may be embarrassing, but HBR argues that embarrassment is a powerful motivational tool. 

These are just some tips for opening offices amidst the pandemic. Feel free to share more tips below! If you are a leader in the workplace, you might want to read on how to be a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic here.