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COVID-19: Employee return to work guidelines template

Bring employees back to work safely after a long time working from home with the Employee return to work guidelines template.

Template by Nguyen Huu Phuc
6 minutes to finish · English · PPTX
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As businesses start to resume after the lockdown lifts up, it is critical to develop guidelines to safeguard your employees and keep a safe workplace. This guidelines template will help companies outline their new policies, procedures, and provide information on how employees are to carry out daily tasks while observing social distancing protocols. Download (for free) and develop returning to work guidelines for your company.

Overview

As the lockdown caused by COVID-19 eases, some companies intend to revert back to old ways as their employees have been fully vaccinated. But with the coronavirus still posing a threat, managers need to keep the business running without putting their healths at risk and they need an employee return to work guideline to successfully achieve this.

The employee return to work guidelines acts as a blueprint for executing the necessary safety measures when employees return to the office. By having these guidelines, employers will communicate when employees should return and the changes they are to expect on their return to work. They will also be able to provide information on how employees are to carry out daily tasks while observing social distancing protocols. That's why we created this template to guide you and your employees to get back to work safely.

Guidelines template for returning to work safely 

This return to work guidelines communicates {Company’s name} policies to employees resuming their duties following the COVID-19 outbreak. Its purpose is to help managers and employees who have been working from home smoothly resume their duties while following health guidelines and maintaining social distancing protocols.

Communication

  • Using Email and SMS, inform employees of the reopening date and the new workplace policies. The HRIS platform can also be used to pass this message across
  • The company social media handles (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) should also be used to educate employees about the preventive measures
  • Standees and LCDs placed in strategic places (e.g elevators, entrance, etc.) should carry messages reminding employees to observe social distancing and wash their hands regularly. Reminders can also be done via the intranet

Email Communication template

{With this email template, companies can announce the return to work date and briefly explain the new policies to their employees}

Subject: COVID-19: Resumption date and new policies

Hi everyone,

Following the end of the lockdown, we are glad to announce the office will be reopened on {date}. Meanwhile, we will keep executing necessary measures to ensure the safety of everyone as we return to work. Here is a summary of the measures:

  • Employees who feel unwell are obliged to stay home and continue following our work from home guidelines
  • Employees should always have their masks on when outside their workspace
  • We have made proper provisions for office cleaning, hand-washing, masks, sanitizers, tissue and, bins
  • Face-to-face interaction and clustering of employees should be avoided as much as possible
  • Emails and texts are the preferred methods of communication  

For a full rundown of the new measures, you can check our return to work guidelines attached to this email. 

We are still following up on the pandemic situation and adjust the office operation plan accordingly.

We are glad to have your back.

 See you at the office.

{Name}

Office arrangement 

Seating plan

  • Employees are to stay at their workstation/offices/cubicles at all times, if possible. For offices with tight spaces, a spacing of no less than 1 meter is to be adopted
  • The lunch and game rooms will be shut down. We advise employees to take breaks at their desks instead
  • Different break times will be allotted to employees to allow only a few to use the break room at a time. This room will be cleaned between each session
  • The number of chairs in the break room will be reduced and employees are to sit safely distanced from their colleagues

Food and beverage

  • Office refrigerators and coffee machines will be closed temporarily to prevent a cluster of employees around them
  • Employees should endeavor to bring all food and beverage from home. This includes utensils, plates, and cups.

Meeting 

{The possibility of a virtual meeting must first be considered. If not possible, check with the local health authorities about your plans to hold an office meeting or event. Scale down the meeting size so that only the necessary participants will attend}

  • Employees feeling unwell are not to attend office meetings and event 
  • Every employee must submit their contact details at the event. These details will be shared with local health authorities if any participant becomes ill afterward.
  • Sufficient masks, tissues, and hand sanitizers will be provided for all participants.
  • Participants are advised to always have their masks on at all times unless speaking. 
  • Spacing of at least one meter should be adopted. If possible, windows and doors should be kept open to make sure the venue is well-ventilated

Elevator

  • Employees are encouraged to use stairs more often. 
  • The elevators are to carry only 50% of its capacity
  • Employees using elevators should have their masks on at all times. 
  • Regular cleaning of  the elevators will be adopted
  • A hand sanitizer dispenser will be at the entrance of every elevator 

Travel

{Avoid business travel if possible, however, if employees must travel check with the local health authorities first}

  • High-risk employees are advised to avoid traveling (e.g. older employees and those with medical conditions)
  • If employees are going for a work-related trip, essentials like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers will be provided for them. (Make sure employees know what to do and who to contact if they feel ill during the travel)
  • Employees are to adhere to the instructions of local health authorities where they are traveling
  • After returning, employees should not report to work immediately. They should monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and contact the health authorities if they feel unwell.

Continue reading. Download the full template here 👉

In this guideline, you'll get:

  • Advice regarding how to effectively communicate with your staff about the new situation.
  • Recommendations for on-site activities to minimize risk, such as seating plan, meetings, events, etc.
  • Guidance for employee preventive measures.

How to use this template

  • ✂️
    The template is fair use for your own purposes. Feel free to copy or refer to the structure and guidelines inside.
  • 🛎
    Keep in mind that this template is not a legal document and may not take into account all relevant local or national laws.
  • ✍️
    The contents in the template are just a starter. Make sure you insert and edit the variables (name, logos, etc.) to tailor the template to your business.
  • 📟
    Upgrade the material by changing or adding in texts, sections, and visuals.
  • 🖨
    Export as PDF or print it out for easier handling and communication with your team.

Who this template is for

  • Companies that intend to facilitate a safe passage for employees to return to work.
  • HR specialists who want to communicate the company’s new mode of operations to returning employees.
  • Managers who want to covid-proof the office.

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