When running a business, the most essential thing you should be focusing on is making sure that the health, safety and wellbeing of your customers is your top priority- especially during these most challenging times. Nobody wants to feel as though they are unprepared for unexpected changes during this time.
There are several things that should be put in place as soon as possible to make sure that everybody feels safe and looked after in your care.
Here are a few of them.
Continue implementing cleaning routines
Several months ago, businesses will have put several cleaning stations around their premises to be used by customers and employees. These should be checked several times a day, to make sure they are in prominent positions, clear for anybody to use them. In particular around exits and entrances. You may even consider having a member of staff at the door ensuring that all who enter use the sanitising stations.
Have them in high traffic areas such as at elevators, bathrooms, or doors. Ensure that strict cleaning regimes are adhered to for the safety of your staff and customers.
In addition to daily cleaning, you should also ensure that you deep clean your premises every so often. This may include hiring specialist equipment such as disinfection fogging machines to clean everything that could have a potential virus contamination- which is particularly important if you hear about somebody contracting the virus who has visited your business.
Stock up on PPE
Sanitising stations are just one of the things you can have in place to keep everybody who it’s physically in contact with your business safe.
Make sure you invest in PPE such as; gloves, screens, masks and visors. The government advises that everybody should be wearing these when in public places, so as a business owner or employer, it is your duty to ensure your staff members are covered and protected against any risk. Consider taking the time to contact local suppliers to get these items in a bulk deal and have excess of these things available for staff to use.
Encourage working from home
The Government guidelines are clear: Work from home if you can. If it is possible for your business to operate remotely, then for the safety of your staff, customers, and the wider community, you should continue to do so.
Reducing the number of people who enter your office will help to reduce the risk of people being too close together and spreading the virus. Speak with employees to assess the viability of doing their job from home. For those jobs that are impossible to work remotely, the above steps should help them to stay safe while in the business premises.
Update and Inform your staff and customers
While most people are glued to the news, it is still vitally important that everybody is kept up to date with the goings on of the business. Communication is imperative, especially during the times where colleagues may be feeling anxious about the unknown. Make sure to check in with everybody regularly.
