How to Plan For and Create a Safe and Compliant Workplace

Federal, state, and local COVID-19 pandemic mitigation strategies have included both government shutdowns of all but essential businesses and “social distancing” guidelines. In preparing to reopen at some point in the future when safe and legally permissible, employers should consider a written re-opening plan for the workplace as it:

• Demonstrates to employees, customers and the public an employer’s preparedness to reopen
• Facilitates re-opening more efficiently by providing guidance to employees in advance
• Helps employees to return to a worksite by mitigating possible concerns of employees
• Provides a litigation defense tool in response to a legal complaint against an employer filed with a government agency or court by showing good faith, reasonable measures and precautions to safeguard employees and the workplace