Reworking the workplace: Keep meetings short, desks far apart

Water cooler chats, long meetings and tight seating arrangements are a thing of the past under the protocols that the government wants companies to follow in order to minimize the risks of workers getting infected with the coronavirus.

Under the guidelines issued by the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry, employees should avoid sharing tables or eating close together in common areas. They should also keep their medical masks on if face-to-face conversations can’t be avoided.

“It is best to eat in individual work areas and all wastes shall be disposed properly. If eating in individual work areas is not possible, the employer shall ensure that physical distancing is maintained in dining areas with one worker per table and 1-meter distance per worker,” according to the guidelines approved on Thursday and released to the media on Friday.

“It is discouraged that workers engage in conversation with masks off during meal times,” the guidelines added.

Work arrangements

The SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19 is transmitted by an infected person through contact, respiratory droplets or fomites.

“It is therefore important to maintain a distance of more than 1 meter from any person who has respiratory symptoms,” the DOH said in an advisory.

Signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the guidelines took effect immediately as the government eased restrictions on certain sectors and industries that stopped operations nearly two months ago since the country recorded an outbreak of COVID-19.

To further minimize the risk of transmission, Bello and Lopez also urged employers to continue implementing alternative work arrangements “where [they are] feasible and on rotation basis.”

Videoconferencing

The use of videoconferencing was also promoted if employees or company officers need to have “lengthy discussions.”

“Prolonged face-to-face interaction between workers and with clients are discouraged and masks shall be worn at all times and not removed. Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of participants and with short duration,” they said.

Office tables should also be arranged in such a way that physical distancing is maintained. Another option is to install “barriers” between tables.

Companies should also designate officers specifically tasked to ensure compliance with physical distancing and minimum health standards.

Employers are also “highly encouraged’’ to allow elderly workers or those with preexisting ailments (regardless of age) to continue working from home.

“Work agreements should be developed to detail the deliverables from these employees and there shall be no diminution in wages and benefits,” the guidelines read.

As of Thursday, elderly patients account for 2,237 cases or more than a quarter of the 8,488 confirmed cases in the country. Of the elderly patients who have died from COVID-19, half either had hypertension or diabetes.

“Employers shall enhance (their) health insurance provision for workers,” the guidelines added.

Companies pay for tests

The DOH earlier this week clarified that employees need not undergo testing for COVID-19 as a requirement for returning to work.

In the newly approved guidelines, Bello and Lopez said companies may test their workers, provided that the companies pay for it.

Also, the DOH protocols on expanded testing will have to be followed, which means that people with severe symptoms will be prioritized, followed by those with mild symptoms, and then by those who are asymptomatic but with a history of exposure to an infected person.

Apart from educating their employees on COVID-19, businesses are also required to provide them with masks, protective gear and disinfectants, among others.

They should also provide shuttle services for the workers, if feasible.