Pub. 2 2020 Issue 4

M A Y / J U N E 2 0 2 0 22 nebraska cpas As businesses begin to consider reopening their operations and returning employees to their locations and places of business, there are many things employers must consider and pitfalls employers will have to take care to avoid. Provided below are some important questions and answers to assist employers in reopening their operations and returning employees. Is my business subject to a “stay-at-home” or “shelter- in-place” order? Many states and localities remain under a “stay-at-home” or “shelter-in-place” order, which could prevent employers from reopening their physical workplaces. For more information from Koley Jessen regarding stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders by state, see “Stay-at-Home, Shelter-in-Place, and Essential Business Information by State” at https://www.koleyjessen.com/media/ publication/56_Stay%20At%20Home%20States.pdf. Should we develop enhanced cleaning procedures? The short answer to this question is yes, but what the procedure looks like will differ based on the unique nature of each workplace and environment. Regardless of the nature of the workplace, employers are advised to clean and disinfect frequently used spaces such as bathrooms, breakrooms, common areas, and shared electronic equipment. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises the following cleaning procedures: • Clean dirty surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting; • Di si n fec t s u r f ace s u si ng produc t s t hat mee t t he Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) criteria for COVID-19 (See https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/ list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2.); • Cleaning staff should be equipped with and use disposable gloves and gowns; and • Due to the risks and hazards associated with many cleaning products, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be necessary to protect employees engaging in cleaning activities. Employers should also develop procedures for properly disposing of used cleaning products and PPE worn by individuals who are cleaning. How can we implement social distancing at our workplace? The CDC has issued guidance regarding policies to facilitate social distanci ng wit hi n t he workplace, such as usi ng videoconferencing or teleconferencing when possible for work- related meetings and gatherings, even if employees are in the same building. (See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html.) If possible, employers should reconfigure workspaces to allow for the greatest level of social distancing and to otherwise protect against spread of the virus. One step that employers are taking is reconfiguring open workspaces to reduce the extent to which employees’ desks are directly facing each other. Employers are also encouraged to place a limit on the number of employees whomay be in a common area at one time. For example, employers may consider limiting the number of employees who may be in the break room at any given time to ensure enough space to allow for the recommended six feet of physical distance. One of the most effective means of promoting social distancing in the office is to permit or require employees to continue to RETURNING TO WORK AMID COVID-19: EMPLOYEE-RELATED ISSUES BY JACQUELINE N. TONDL AND JOHN C. DUNN, KOLEY JESSEN

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