No one had “lead a company through a pandemic” in the job description at their interview. New challenges present new responsibilities, and for today’s leaders and managers, it’s time to take ownership of the steps we all need to take to keep our workforce healthy.
This isn’t just about navigating what’s next for your organization. Right now, leaders at every level of a company are taking responsibility for the health and safety of their teams, too. It’s a tough balance, but it’s one that truly reflects the integrity and priorities of your business, and that matters more than anything. We’ve put together three important responsibilities leaders have to ensure they’re doing everything they can to do right by their teams and their communities in a pandemic.
Stay Informed. The guidelines and best practices for businesses are constantly changing. Leaders need to make it a priority to actively seek out the latest tips and information, plus updates to local, state, and federal COVID-19 guidelines. Not only will strict and spirited compliance help avoid fines or penalties, it will also help reduce the health risks and possible shutdowns associated with positive cases. Most states have dedicated websites and resources broken down by industry to ensure that every business understands what they can do to keep people safe.
Create In-House Guidelines. In addition to governmental guidelines, leaders can work with healthcare professionals and their own managers to create a company-wide set of guidelines that are uniquely tailored to their own facility. Once developed, make sure that your guidelines are easily accessible by your team and continue to keep these guidelines top-of-mind in the months ahead. Of course, make sure to vet your guidelines by relying on trusted health and medical sources. Many companies are creating microsites or dedicated infrastructure to make this information easy to access both on-site and for remote workers, too.
Be A Resource. In addition to a robust set of FAQs, create a channel for your team members to reach out and learn more. Each worker faces unique risks and experiences, as well as different exposure based on their role within the company. Create a channel on Slack or a dedicated email address that your team can reach out to in order to request more information. It may be necessary to assign an HR leader or another trusted department to handle these questions, but your team will certainly thank you for making answering their inquiries a priority.
Finally, remember that all three of these efforts aren’t one-and-done. Make it a weekly task to assess your COVID-19 procedures, check the latest guidelines, and even reach out to team members to learn what else you can do to help them feel safe at work or while working remotely. This isn’t going to be over anytime soon, and the changes caused by the pandemic won’t be static, either.
Need more ideas on how to create the right systems to weather the storm? Contact us at info@trinitasadvisors.com today.