Member Article

Waller has created this FAQ to assist employers prepare to reopen their doors and return to “normal” operations. It is critical that businesses develop a reopening plan and communicate new expectations before employees return. There are many issues for businesses to consider when making a plan to reopen. Included below in FAQ format are questions/recommendations to consider in formulating a reopening plan that makes sense for your business. Other information for employers deliberating reopening is available in our prior article and podcast.

General Considerations

When should my business reopen?

You should consider reopening after you clear three important hurdles: first, after the removal of any applicable federal, state, or local stay-at-home order; second, after your company plan has been developed and communicated to employees; and third, after your company is prepared for the reopening by making any necessary changes to the physical work environment, procured any personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitizer, etc., and otherwise prepared the work environment to allow for your plan to be implemented. Checking these items off your list before reopening will make the transition smoother and your employees more confident in their safety as they return to work.

Who should return?

Many businesses plans include the formation of a small leadership team to develop and implement its reopening plan. If appropriate for your business, this team should be among the first group to return to the work environment to ensure that the plan is able to be rolled out as intended and to make any adjustments in the plan. Some experts suggest making this team as diverse as possible, including both people who are excited to return to work and those who still have reservations, to ensure you are addressing as many potential concerns as possible.

Beyond the leadership team, consider whether a staggered or phased-in return of employees makes sense for your business and is in line with local governmental orders. Many state and local governments’ reopening orders do not allow all employees to return to work at once. In deciding which employees to bring back first, consider factors like what job duties are best performed in the workplace versus at home, which jobs are needed to run basic functions that aid other jobs, and which jobs are needed to get the company reopened. For example, in a factory, line workers cannot work from home, but administrative staff may be able to; in a law firm, administrative assistants are crucial to helping attorneys; and a restaurant cannot run without cooks.

Review and revise, if necessary, your “work-from-home” or “flexible work arrangement” policies. As you prepare for reopening, this will help govern those workers who remain at home longest or who may be unable to return right away. . In the long term, this will make the transition easier if it becomes necessary for most if not all employees to work from home again.

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