As a small business owner, you likely have many concerns about reopening your business amidst the pandemic. Chances are your employees feel the same way.

The truth is that most businesses will need to make adjustments in the aftermath of COVID-19. How can you successfully get your business running again while protecting your workers and boosting their morale?

In this post, we’ll offer 3 practical suggestions for keeping your workplace (and your workers) healthy and safe. Read on!

1. Maintain Physical Distancing

Returning to work will look different depending on the nature of your business. Assuming you operate in an indoor office setting, your first step is to reconfigure the environment for physical distancing.

Desks and chairs should be placed at least 6 feet apart, per CDC guidelines. Spread out seating in communal areas such as break rooms or waiting rooms. If applicable, consider transparent barriers between desks or between the reception area and the waiting room.

You might also consider adding visual markers to floors or walls for 6-foot distancing. Post guidelines in a visible place or create a short video to inform your staff of new procedures and policies.

2. Frequent Cleaning & Sanitizing

Although coronavirus spreads primarily through airborne particles, it can also be transmitted through infected surfaces.

Enact a rigorous schedule of cleaning and sanitizing communal surfaces—several times daily, if possible. Pay special attention to doorknobs, light switches, phones, and faucets.

If your business involves close contact with customers, the use of PPE (personal protective equipment) is essential. Provide face masks, hand sanitizer, and antiseptic wipes for your employees if you can, or insist that they bring and use their own.

Many businesses are also enacting daily temperature checks and health screenings for their employees. It’s not foolproof, but it’s worth considering the extra precaution to keep your staff and customers safe.

3. Consider Telecommuting Options

Some businesses have no choice but to have their employees physically present in the workplace.

But what if it’s possible for some of your staff to continue working from home, at least part-time? If they successfully made the transition during lockdown, could you offer the option to continue working from home?

This could allow you to stagger working hours or limit the number of employees in the office at any given time. It could also offer another unexpected benefit—employees who work remotely are often more productive!

Returning to Work in 2020: Final Thoughts

It may take a while for the business world to return to normal after the pandemic. It could even be that this “new normal” is here to stay.

Whatever happens in the future, there are steps you can take today to protect your business and your employees.

Maintain physical distancing as much as possible while keeping up a frequent schedule of sanitizing and cleaning. Monitor your employees’ health closely and take quick action if anyone displays symptoms of the virus.

You may also want to consider the possibility of full-time or part-time remote work options if it makes sense for your business.

Are you struggling to juggle basic paperwork while reopening your business? Now might be the perfect time to consider outsourcing those time-consuming administrative tasks.

Click here to learn more about our PEO services and how they can free up your valuable time.