defining work arrangements in the new normal.

Before allowing your employees to return to the office safely, you’ll need to think about your future workforce arrangements. Can some of your employees continue to telecommute? Do you need to make alternative arrangements to protect your employees who are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Below are some considerations for defining your safe return to work plan.

1. allow priority employees to return to work first.

When developing your plan for who should be going back to work, take into consideration extenuating circumstances. Give return to work priority to employees including:

• Those whose presence is essential on-site.
• Those who don’t have all the tools needed to work efficiently while telecommuting.
• Those who face specific challenges to work remotely (for example, those balancing work and childcare).

2. stay remote for as long as possible.

• Those whose physical presence at the office is not required should continue to work from home if they have the ability to do so.
• Keep remote work in place as long as possible for as many of your employees as you can.
• Vulnerable or high-risk employees (ie immunocompromised, people with respiratory issues, and those over 60-years-old) should be given priority to work remotely.
• Consider providing webinars and other resources on how to work remotely to help your workforce adapt.

3. verify employee health before returning to work.

• Verify employees have self-isolated and do not have symptoms before they are cleared to get back to work. 
• Obtain a statement from employees before they start work certifying that they are not at high-risk for contracting COVID-19.

Randstad prepared these resources to share best practices to get back to work safely. The information is intended as a guideline only. Please do additional research and consult with experts before making decisions for your business.