While many workforces remain working from home, some companies will start making plans to return to the office with talk about a possible COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon. Some companies don’t have the possibility to work remotely, so the risk of an onsite COVID-19 is a very real possibility. Read on for a communication template and strategy for notifying employees in the event of an exposure at your workplace.
It’s up to employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace, or they risk facing penalties. Follow these five best practices when contacting and informing teammates.
Use the following example to outline communication in the event of a COVID-19 exposure at your office:
Team,
We have identified [#] confirmed cases of COVID-19 among our workforce. As such, employees working at [location] may have been exposed to this virus.
We are staying in close communication with local and state health officials to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps under the current circumstances. These include:
[Outline steps your workplace is taking]
If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 illness, please inform HR at [contact information] and contact your healthcare provider. [Company name] will keep all medical information confidential and will only disclose it on a need-to-know basis. We encourage you to review the CDC website for information about COVID-19, including symptoms, how it spreads, and actions you can take to protect your health: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
This is a time of stress and uncertainty. We will continue to provide regular updates about the situation and will promptly notify you if we identify any additional confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The safety of our employees is our top priority during this time. I want to thank everyone for your patience as we collectively navigate the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. If you have any additional questions, please contact [contact information].
Thank you,
[Name]