---
title: "Employer's Return to Work Checklist: Practices and Policies"
date: 2020-05-20T17:50:53-04:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/labor-days/employers-return-to-work-checklist-practices-and-policies"
section: Blog Posts
---
# Employer’s Return to Work Checklist: Practices and Policies

  May 20, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employers, as you plan for a safe return to work, there are several critical protocols and practices to consider. Below you will find a [Return to Work (RTW) Checklist](https://www.kelleydrye.com/getattachment/News-Events/Publications/Client-Advisories/Employers-Return-To-Work-Checklist/Return-to-Work-Checklist.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US), created by the Kelley Drye [Labor and Employment](https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-Practices/Litigation-and-Investigations/Labor-and-Employment) team, to help you navigate getting back to work effectively. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact [Barbara Hoey](https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-People/Barbara-E-Hoey) and [Mark Konkel](https://www.kelleydrye.com/Our-People/Mark-A-Konkel).

#### ![](https://communications.kelleydrye.com/24/856/_images/rtw-checklistr1.png)

#### PLANNING A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE RETURN: INITIAL STEPS

**Identify a Return-to-Work (RTW) planning team or task force:**- Include key decision-makers
- Appoint a COVID officer to ensure compliance with polices and safety guidelines
- Develop a ​“tracking” program: how will your company monitor and ensure that key milestones are met, policies are actually implemented, and being followed?

**Develop a RTW Plan – must address:**- Which employees will return first?
- When they will return?
- What are the criteria for return?
- Who will, or will continue to, telework?
- What medical clearance will you require?

**Consider how will you deal with key issues, including:**- Safety in the workplace 
    - Lower employee ​“density” in office
    - Best office hygiene practices (social distancing, temperature checks, sanitizer, etc.)
    - How to handle day-to-day safety logistics 
        - e.g., enforcing hygiene practices, handling sick employees in the workplace, and dealing with presence of third-parties on-site

**Develop a communication plan**- Who are the communicators?
- Train communicators on new policies, procedures—and especially how to handle questions
- Communicate new policies to employees (see below)

#### BEST PRACTICES FOR CREATING AND UPDATING COMPANY-WIDE POLICIES

##### KEY POLICIES FOR INITIAL RTW

**Develop Employee Health Questionnaire**- Require employee self-monitoring and reporting
- Address the ​“when” and ​“how” of how employees must disclose potential exposure

**Develop workplace screening policies**- Train screeners
- Ensure confidentiality of information gathered

**Develop safety policies and notices:**- Workplace hygiene
- Social distancing
- Procedures for outside visitors (vendors, clients, couriers)

**Amend existing policies**- Complaint reporting procedures
- Disability accommodation processes
- Harassment, discrimination, and retaliation

##### **EXPOSURE IN THE WORKPLACE POLICIES** 

**Establish a COVID-19 disclosure protocol****Direct sick employees to stay home**

- Amend sick leave and PTO policies

**Develop Notice of Post-Exposure workplace clean-up****Develop standard training plan for handling sick employees and exposure**

- Cross-train supervisors and managers

##### **LEAVE AND ACCOMMODATIONS POLICIES**

**Revise existing sick leave and FMLA policies to reflect changes in state and federal legislation**- e.g., the FFCRA, which remains in effect until December 31, 2020

**Update Accommodation Policies to account for COVID-19 related requests**- e.g., work-from-home accommodation requests

##### **TELEWORK POLICIES** 

**Revise or implement teleworking policies, including:**- Develop a standard for requests and approval of telework

**Develop standard matrix to evaluate telework accommodation requests**- For those who are approved to telework:
- Develop standards for performance, hours, and expectations
- Publish standards for office setup and security protocols
- Amend disciplinary policies to address telework concerns 
    - e.g., Security violations, breach of confidentiality, and time theft

**Implement teleworking guidelines for managers:**- Communicating with teleworking staff
- Monitoring and documenting performance

**Develop NEW workplace policies:**- Hygiene
- Self-monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms
- Social distance
- Meeting limits
- Travel limitations
- Use of Sick leave and PTO

#### FOSTERING TRUST AND NEW EMPLOYEE BEHAVIORS

**Communicate regularly with employees regarding the issues that matter:**- Safety practices
- Reporting employee concerns
- Policy amendments
- Updates on COVID-19 workplace matters

**Establish a central source (website, weekly email, call-in) for employee check-ins**- e.g., telework request forms, FFCRA Notice, and time-keeping policies

 

 

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