In this article, I’ve made an attempt to give a piece of general information about the Novel Coronavirus or Covid-19 so that HR can create HR Policies, including how it spreads and what measures you can take to prevent infection at your workplace.
It is very important that we as individuals and organisations know the facts about Coronavirus or Covid-19 to take precautionary measures at workplaces and to weed out the spread of rumours or false information without creating panic.
The information provided here is not exhaustive, and I encourage that you research and use the latest information of Coronavirus or Covid-19 by visiting the World Health Organisation website and your national & local Healthcare authority at Ministry of Health & Prevention UAE. You can also subscribe to their social media feed to stay updated with the latest information and awareness campaigns.
What is Coronavirus or Covid-19?
This is a novel respiratory virus that believes to have originated in Wuhan province of China. It is a contagious and potentially fatal virus. Coughing and sneezing of infected individuals are suspected to be the cause of its transmission. Presently, there is no cure, vaccine, or any specific treatment and authorities in the relevant countries are working to develop a solution at their earliest.
How this virus spread?
Health authorities are yet to establish the cause of transmission, but initial research suggests it spreads person-to-person. Also, there is an indication that the virus has been transmitted by animal sources, as well as individuals with ties to animal markets or seafood. So far, findings are inconclusive that you can get it from food, water, or air.
What is the mortality rate of this?
According to the latest report issued by WHO the overall fatality ratio varies by location and intensity of spread. At present Coronavirus or Covid-19 has a fatality rate of less than 3%. People at the highest risk for severe disease or death include individuals over 60 years of age and those with basic conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
What are the symptoms and signs of Coronavirus or Covid-19 to include in HR policies?
Infected individuals with Covid-19 or Coronavirus have shown the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Mild to severe respiratory illness.
Prevention & Treatment of Coronavirus or Covid-19 to include in HR Policies.
Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent Covid-19. Your best bet to prevent illness is to take precautionary measures advised by the World Health Organisation and your national & local health authorities at the Ministry of Health & Prevention UAE and avoid being exposed to this virus.
Here is a brief list of everyday preventive actions you can take to help prevent the transmission of disease:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with elbow or tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Don’t use your hands to cover your cough or sneeze.
- 20 seconds is the minimum time you should wash your hands with soap and water.
- Frequently disinfect and clean touched surfaces and objects.
What happens if you suspect you are someone has Coronavirus or Covid-19?
If you or someone you know is showing the symptoms of Coronavirus or Covid-19 then you should immediately contact your healthcare provider and provide the following information:
- Your recent travel history.
- Places you’ve visited.
- If you’ve met someone recently who have had shown signs of Coronavirus of Covid-19.
Your healthcare provider will work with the relevant health department to ascertain if you need to be tested for the disease.
Should you consider quarantining employees, or having employees take leave, who have recently traveled to Coronavirus or Covid-19 struck countries?
You may consider advising employees who have
recently returned from the disease affected countries to self-monitor for any
symptoms of Coronavirus or Covid-19 or ask them to work from home for 14 days
after their return.
If any of the symptoms occur then employees should consider contacting the healthcare provider immediately. Additionally, even if the signs do not appear to show the disease, employees may still consider consulting a healthcare provider to ensure they’ve not contracted the virus before returning to work.
What should you as an Employer do in providing information to employees in your HR Policies on Coronavirus or Covid-19?
You can look into creating a policy containing relevant information or may send a circular to keep the employees updated.
Here are a few hints which can give you an idea of what to do or help in drafting a policy for your workplace:-
- Create an information pack consisting of advice on Coronavirus or Covid-19. How it is spread and what measures your employees should take at the workplace or at home?
- Communication is the key. So, your communication strategy should be multi-pronged and use all the communications resources available at your disposal.
- Update your Travel policy in the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and your national & local health authorities at the Ministry of Health & Prevention UAE.
- You can download posters, bulletins, and other relevant information from the WHO website. Print and consider sticking posters on the notice boards, walls, or share via chat groups or emails. Don’t assume that all employees have direct access to reliable information and you don’t need to add anything.
- Share information on flexible working plans and if you don’t have a policy then you may consider creating one and sharing with the employees.
- Look at your leave policies and re-consider if you can to accommodate the precautionary measures or cure for the affected employees. You can also seek advice from the Ministry of Human Resource & Emiratisation.
- Keep your employees up-to-date with the latest authentic information gathered from reliable sources and experts. This disease is at a developing stage and events are unfolding with surprising speed. You may consider sending weekly or bi-weekly updates.
- Make sure that your and employee’s response is balanced as they are likely to be exposed to conflicting information. Ensure to communicate policies promptly, clearly, and with accurate information.
- Communicate contextual information and the reasoning behind the policies you’ve created and shared with the employees. Whether, it’s is flexible or remote working hours, travel restrictions, or unpredictable fluctuations in your business.
- An information hub where your workforce can get all the relevant information is another solution you can look into creating.
- Install hand sanitizers, increase the cleaning schedule of your offices, and consider the provision of the free mask if necessary.
- Ensure that employees are not overreacting to the situation by avoiding contact with a specific race or nationality. Advise them not to share false information or gossiping about others.
Final Word
Employers have multiple options to respond to the Coronavirus or Covid-19 outbreak in their HR Policies. Everyone from small to large organisations can take precautionary measures to make their workplace safe. It is also a time to update your Health & Safety policies at your workplace.
The above information is gathered based on the latest information available. The development of this disease is continuously evolving and the information provided may become obsolete based upon such latest information updated by your national and local relevant authorities and health organisations.
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