What Employers Should Know About the New Coronavirus

It seems like everywhere we turn, people are talking about the new coronavirus (COVID-19).  In the last week alone, fears over a potential pandemic have severely impacted financial markets worldwide and even resulted in France recommending that its citizens no longer use the traditional double-cheek kiss greeting!  As a result, it is only natural that employers have been wondering how to address employee concerns about the virus’s potential impact on the workplace.

The first thing that an employer should communicate are steps that employees can take to help reduce their chances of contracting the new coronavirus.  After all, as the old saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has recommended that individuals take preventative actions, such as: (1) regularly washing their hands with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds or using hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable; (2) avoiding touching their eyes nose, and mouth; (3) covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue; and (4) cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are frequently touched or used; and, perhaps most importantly, (5) staying home when they are sick.

An employer should also communicate how it will respond if an employee develops symptoms of the virus or has had close contact with someone who is being evaluated for or confirmed to have the virus.  Will affected or potentially affected employees be required or permitted to work remotely?  What if such employees cannot perform their jobs remotely?  How do policies regarding vacation, sick leave, paid time off, medical leaves of absence, or unpaid leaves of absences come into play?  What about the applicability of the FMLA or the employer’s short-term or long-term disability insurance policies?  Does the employer have any employees who have recently or will soon be traveling internationally for business or pleasure?

In light of recent events, it appears that concerns over the new coronavirus are not going anywhere any time soon.  Therefore, employers should promptly communicate with employees about these issues.  For questions about the potential impact of the new coronavirus in the workplace or any other labor and employment law matter, please do not hesitate to contact the attorneys at Hoffman & Hlavac.