How to Balance Business Productivity While Keeping Employees Safe and Healthy

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we can’t always rely on best laid plans. For small business owners, however, planning ahead in the new year might be the only thing fully within your control.

There are risks to operating at full capacity and for most brick and mortars, full capacity isn’t even an option. So, how do you strike a balance between keeping the ship afloat and keeping employees healthy—both mentally and physically? Consider the following suggestions.

Keep PPE Stocked and At the Ready

If your employees don’t have the option to work from home, your PPE stock is crucial. From disinfectants to masks, take regular inventory of what’s on hand. Try to track trends over time around how quickly supplies are depleted so you can map out a schedule for reorders.

Keep masks at the ready for both your employees and customers. These can be offered to those, who may walk in unprepared.

Additionally, for small businesses in Ontario, read up on the government’s Main Street Recovery Plan. You may be able to receive up to $1,000 in grants for PPE reimbursement.

Amp Up Your Office Cleaning Schedule

This should go without saying but cleaning schedules should be reevaluated regularly based on CDC guidelines. Frequently touched surfaces will require frequent sanitation and ventilation systems will need monitoring for managing air flow.

It’ll also be critical to map out how you’ll approach contract tracing. You may not be able to control cases of infection but you can control how you mitigate the chances, in addition to how quickly you respond.

Boost Employee Capabilities with Third-Party Support

It’s important to view health and safety through both a physical and mental lens. Many are suffering from pandemic fatigue, which doesn’t bode well for overall productivity.

Now is the time to lean on technology and automation. Equip your employees with the tools they need to make everyday tasks easier.

As it makes sense, consider bolstering employee output with help from a third-party agency or service. From digital marketing to tech support, there are a number of options worth exploring.

Designate Back-Ups

While you don’t want to overwhelm an already-struggling employee base, make sure there are known back-ups in place. Should someone need to take time off, it’s important to have plans ready for who will cover what and how.

Having documentation for operational tasks can also go a long way in getting people up to speed. Work within your team or create a small task force to evaluate and tackle contingency plans that make sense for your business needs.