Employers have a responsibility to keep workers safe—especially during the current health crisis. If you are concerned about your employer following federal guidelines to keep you safe, you may need to seek guidance from an experienced attorney. Our employment law attorneys explain what employers should be doing to keep workers safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Employers Responsibilities During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Employers should be taking preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to prevent their employees from getting exposed to the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have provided businesses with guidelines on what they should be doing to keep workers safe. Employers are asked only to use the CDC guidelines to prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace.
Businesses are strongly encouraged to coordinate with state and local health officials and to obtain accurate information that can help them make the best decisions for their workers. Every employer needs to consider the best method to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and lower the impact in their workplace.
Below is a list of things employers should be doing to keep workers safe:
- Actively encourage sick employers to stay home: Essential businesses should send home any workers who have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Identify where and how workers might be exposed to COVID-19 at work: Employers should take steps to eliminate any risks of exposure in the workplace. They should consider minimizing face-to-face contact and maintain a distance of six feet from other workers.
- Educate employees about how they can reduce the spread: Employers should be providing workers with policies and procedures to clean and disinfect work meeting areas.
- Support respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene for employees, customers, and visitors: Employers should provide tissues and no-touch disposable receptacles. They should also be providing soap, water, and hand sanitizers in multiple locations.
- Perform routine environmental cleaning and disinfection: Businesses should be routinely cleaning and disinfecting all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace. They should also provide disposable wipes to sanitize commonly used surfaces.
If you believe that your employer isn’t following CDC guidelines and you’re experiencing discrimination in the workplace, our team at Hennig Kramer Ruiz & Singh, LLP can help you. Contact our Los Angeles employment attorneys today at (213) 292-5444 to schedule a free virtual consultation!