The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact many parts of the country, which makes taking proper workplace wellness precautions incredibly important.
If you’re returning to work soon and aren’t sure what you should be doing to stay safe, these tips will help you with safety:
- Clean Your Workstation
Disinfect your workstation when you return and at the beginning of each day. You don’t know who might have accidentally coughed on it while you were away. If it is noticeably dirty, clean it with soap and water, and then disinfect it. Also try to stay away from using your co-workers’ workstations whenever possible.
- Stay Six Feet Away from Everyone
One of the top things you can do to stay safe is practice social distancing. This protects yourself (so you don’t catch the virus from others in close proximity) and others (you could be sick without showing symptoms). Instead of meeting up with co-workers at their desk or in conference rooms, contact them via email, phone, or video conferencing software.
- Wear a Mask
When encountering others is unavoidable (walking around the building, standing in line for coffee, etc.) make sure to wear a mask.
- Wash Your Hands Often
You’re much more likely to catch Coronavirus from interacting with someone that has it than from touching something they coughed on, but the possibility still exists. Make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when hand washing is not an option.
- Take the Long Way Around
When you find yourself walking around the building to use the bathroom or eat lunch, avoid contact with your co-workers as much as possible. This may mean taking the longer way to get to the break room or bathroom. If your company has traffic flow signs set up, follow those signs. While this can be a hassle, it could prevent you from catching the virus.
- Eat Alone
You might feel pressured to eat with your co-workers because you miss them, but that’s another opportunity for the virus to spread. If you really care about them, stay away to keep them and yourself safe. Try to eat at your desk or workstation if you can.
- Stay Home
If you feel even a little bit sick, stay home. Your employer and co-workers should understand, and you’ll be protecting everyone from potentially getting the virus. Try to set an appointment with your local medical provider to get tested as soon as possible.
Getting back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult, but not impossible. Follow these safety guidelines and we’ll get through this together.
Do you have any other worries about going back to work during the Coronavirus? Let us know in the comments section below!
