Contact tracing at work: A quick guide for employers
The elements of a safe return-to-work strategy will depend on an employer’s unique situation, but there's one that should not be overlooked.
What does it take for employers to safely reopen their workplace and bring employees back? Daily health assessments? Routine testing? Staggered scheduling? A full office redesign? Rigorous cleaning protocols? Social distancing requirements? All of the above?
The elements of a safe return-to-work strategy are going to depend on each employer’s unique situation. Some industries will need to embrace stricter measures, as will regions currently considered “COVID-19 hot-spots.” One key factor that should be a part of any safety protocol, however, is contact tracing.
Related: Return to work: Mitigating the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace
“While contact tracing is the responsibility of public health officials in the U.S., they have been stretched too thin to manage the demand in many areas,” writes David Zieg, a partner and clinical services leader at Mercer. “Employers seeking ways to improve worksite safety should consider a contact tracing program – because we know it works.”
Employers could be forgiven for not embracing contact tracing with their full effort–they’ve got a lot on their minds these days, and the information (sometimes conflicting) and guidance around such programs can be overwhelming. Add to that the number of apps and existing service providers offering a program to track the virus on employers’ behalf. But contact tracing doesn’t have to be complicated. Mercer has put together a basic infographic to guide employers.
“Employers would be wise to consult with legal counsel about any contact tracing strategy they choose, about applicable privacy laws, retention period for collected data, safeguarding the data, and potential anonymization techniques,” Zieg adds. “Don’t forget to contact your local public health agency for support and guidance, and always review and understand local, state and national regulatory requirements.”
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