Q: It looks like we will be allowed to re-open our company with several hundred employees in the next few weeks. How do we do it wisely? I’d like your thoughts.A: We are all in a new age of discovery with no playbook or roadmap, but we do have a compass. We need to go in a direction, learn, adapt, and pivot—keep moving, slowly. We’re creating a new future (not a “new normal”—what a crazy buzzword), and we need to do that together, seek good counsel, and then question, “Does it make sense?” No one has all the answers. With the guidance of the health officials first (their plan), make a plan for your organization.
Here are a few questions that can guide your decision-making for your organization which may be different than the company down the street. How do you prepare your company physically for employees returning to work? Many may have left abruptly. What disinfecting do you need to do to prepare for their arrival, and what’s going to be the daily maintenance plan to ensure their safety? What’s going to be the protocol; will it be taking temperatures daily? How can you re-design the workspace so people are socially distant? Do people need to work in staggered shifts or days? How will people interact, meet and work?
Safety is number one. Then ask everyone, how can we be productive and support each other and serve our customers? The more creative your teams are as you work together to deal with issues, the more successful you can be.
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