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After the publication of the guidelines for the "Opening Up America Again" program, several questions have remained unanswered for people who could return to work and be part of the country's economic reopening.
Ten-Point Plan for Returning to Work
1. What are the requirements for the state, region, or county to implement the program?
The initial requirements are the reduction of reported cases of infection over a 14-day period and evidence that hospitals serving local residents have the capacity to meet current demand.You may also read: How to Return to Work After Covid-19
2. How do you become part of the program?
Rather than a program to return to work, it is a reopening guide made available to the country's decision-makers, built with the advice of public health experts. Although it was promoted by President Trump, it will be up to each governor to decide on the implementation of the phases and guidelines described in the strategy.
3. What are the key strategies implemented by this directive?
These could vary according to the phase being implemented, but the cross-cutting ones are: good hygiene practices, social distancing, and the use of protective equipment.
4. What protective equipment should be provided?
To return to work, you should mainly have face masks or coverings, since the virus is transmitted through droplets expelled from the nose or mouth of an infected person and can remain on surfaces or travel through the air. Additionally, each person must have the equipment specific to their work duties.
5. Does this directive end remote work?
No, in fact, in each phase of the strategy, employers are advised to encourage remote work as much as possible, but according to the WEF, only 27% of Americans work remotely during the pandemic.At Conexión Legal we offer free advice for cases of workplace negligence; contact us through this channel via WhatsApp or Schedule Your Consultation and explore solutions for your case.
6. What changes should be made to work facilities?
The changes will depend specifically on the economic sector the company operates in, however, the cross-cutting changes are the increase of sanitation stations where soap, water, disposable towels, and disinfectant are guaranteed. Additionally, distancing must be guaranteed within the facilities.
7. What are the employer's obligations?
The employer has the obligation to provide protective equipment, make adjustments to the facilities, and ensure the safety of employees to return to work.
8. What obligations does the employee have?
The employee must strictly comply with the protocols implemented by their company and report to authorities and employer if they have had contact with an infected person or show symptoms of the disease.
9. How to ensure employee sanitation?
Employees should not remain in the company with the same clothing they wore when traveling, so lockers must be available to store belongings in addition to private areas for changing clothes; additionally, proper hand-washing techniques should be instructed and the frequency with which it should be done (minimum every 3 hours).
10. What to do if the employee or employer does not comply with the directives?
If it is the employee who does not comply with the adopted protocols, their working conditions may be worsened, and even the contract may be terminated since they would be exposing their coworkers to the risk of infection.
In the case that it is the employer who refuses to implement safety measures that guarantee the well-being of their employees, a legal process for workplace compensation for negligence could be initiated, which would provide not only financial assistance to those affected, but also compels the employer to comply with the parameters established for economic reopening.
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