While much of the U.S. is well into the reopening processes, many experts caution that a second wave of COVID-19 could be on the horizon. Even in areas where the spread of the virus has been calmed, some anticipate a resurgence in the fall, or possibly sooner.
Until the time comes, there’s no way to be certain a second wave is happening or what it will look like for employers. However, there are things companies can do to prepare for a possible COVID-19 resurgence. If you’d like to know how you can get your business ready, here are some steps you can take.
Establish Formal Safety Protocols Now
Whether as part of the reopening process or to combat a second wave, specific safety protocols can help keep your employees and customers safe. As a result, it’s wise to get these in place as soon as possible, ensuring you have time to refine your processes and operate within any given guidelines or recommendations.
Often, this includes developing cleaning schedules, both regular and for instances where an employee ends up infected, as well as determining what PPE you need to offer. Additionally, adjusting workspaces to provide room for social distancing is critical, as well as developing mechanisms for deciding who can enter the workplace.
Get the Right Supplies in Place
PPE and cleaning supplies were challenging to come by during the early days of the pandemic. If you find you are able to access what you need with greater ease now, consider creating a small stockpile.
While you don’t want to hoard supplies, having enough on hand to give your company some breathing room is a smart move. That way, if there’s a disruption in supply again, you can wait it out.
Refine Your Remote Work Strategies
If you were one of the many companies that had employees suddenly working from home when the pandemic began, spend time refining your telecommuting strategies now. This includes evaluating the technologies you have in place, determining what worked and what didn’t, reexamining your security standards, and anything else that may have ended up on the wayside.
Ideally, you want to have a solid plan in place that addresses any shortcomings you discovered after the first shift. That way, if you have to shut your workplace again and send employees back home, the transition will be smoother this time around.
Be Financially Wise
Many companies experienced financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. If your business struggled, make sure you focus on being financially smart today. Determine if you can bolster savings to create a cushion. Identify logical areas for cost-cutting and examine cost-effective hiring options when you fill vacant positions.
By being methodical, you can maintain the financial health of your company. Then, if a second wave occurs, you won’t be under the same pressures that you otherwise may have had to face.
Start Preparing Now
The best time to start preparing for the second wave was yesterday. The second best time is now. If employees become ill, or business needs change, you will want to be ready to tackle those challenges, and the best way to do that is to establish a partnership with a local staffing agency like CPS Recruitment. If you’d like to learn more about how you can prepare for a second wave of COVID-19, the team at CPS Recruitment can help. Contact us today.