Advice for Employers

Updated: Mar 27, 2020

There are practical things you can do in the workplace, to protect those more susceptible to the virus:

Encourage flexible work/learning arrangements and encourage staff to stay home if they are sick.
Encourage staff to postpone or cancel non-urgent travel.
Ensure a high standard of regular cleaning.
Purchase hygiene supplies (e.g. alcohol hand sanitisers) and make these available at building entrances and in common areas. Encourage the frequent washing of hands and use of hand sanitisers.
Adjust activities/services to promote social distancing - enable separation of clients, avoid queuing and close confines.
Avoid large indoor meetings and lunchrooms and use outdoor venues if possible.
Consider the needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and others with access and functional needs.

Social Distancing in the Workplace

To reduce the spread of germs in the workplace:

Stay at home if you are sick
Consider if large gatherings can be rescheduled, staggered or cancelled
Stop handshaking and other physical greetings
Hold meetings via video conferencing or phone call
Defer large face-to-face meetings
Reconsider non-essential business travel
Hold essential meetings outside in the open air if possible
Promote good hand and cough/sneeze hygiene and provide hand sanitisers for all staff and workers
Take lunch outside rather than in the lunch room
Clean and disinfect shared high-touch surfaces regularly
Consider opening windows and adjusting air conditioning for more fresh air
Limit food handling and shared food in the workplace
Promote strictest hygiene among food preparation (canteen) staff and their close contacts