When someone in the office tests positive for COVID-19, what can you tell others in the office who might have been exposed? Very little, really. There are many laws governing information privacy, especially the management of personal health information or PHI. A few questions...
In most small businesses, everyone will know when someone gets sick. That’s just how it goes in small and family businesses. The matter of disclosure gets more complex as the size of the organization increases. Do you advise the entire business when someone tests positive for COVID-19? Or do you only advise people who may have come into contact with the infected employee? Do you share the name of the infected employee? How long do the infected and the potentially exposed stay out of the office?
Safety is on everybody’s mind these days. The return to the office has been riddled with good and bad information, myriad data and numbers, and super-charged emotions. In the absence of certainty, people look to decisive action from leadership for comfort. Be ready with a plan of action that shows you are not only aware of their concerns, but also in command of the situation.
CrescentHR helps employers build comprehensive safety programs to prevent unnecessary risks. We start with policies and procedures for compliance and buy-in. We work with customers to conceptualize and implement sustainable and meaningful Human Capital strategies. CrescentHR has an entire library of guidance related to illness, data privacy, and communication and sensitive disclosure. Book time with me to learn more.