#BTColumn – COVID-19 workplace issues

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.

by Dennis DePeiza

For the past two and a half years, workplaces have been thrown into a state of disarray, as they have had to deal with several imposed and constant changes to Emergency Management Protocols and Directives.

The appropriateness of these measures in the initial stages, cannot be questioned, as they were being applied at a time of gross uncertainty, while in the onset of a pandemic.

The decision to act out of an abundance of caution, may have led to several frustrations in the business, commercial world and to social life. Two years down the road, there is the relaxation of some measures. Although these are welcomed in some quarters, there are still concerns being raised regarding the draw backs that continue to exist.

Those in the business and commercial world, must be elated at the fact that there is a return to a sense of normalcy. The positive comments on the uptake in business, comes like music to the ears.

The non-wearing of mask outdoors, the option to hand sanitize and the removal of the three feet social distancing rule, are signs of progress. Employers’ biggest challenge, may be that of experiencing disruption in manpower availability.

This comes as a consequence of the policy that requires employees who have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, to remain in home isolation for a period of seven days. Employers can take some consolation in the fact that the number of days of home isolation, have now been reduced from ten to seven days in Barbados.

The importance attached to a period of isolation is understandable. There is also the reality that this translates into a reduction of productivity. The magnitude of the problem may manifest itself where there is a multiplying effect.

This can manifest itself where there are repeated instances of an individual or small clusters of persons, contracting the COVID 19 virus within the workplace. The once touted daily testing of employees has long been dismissed. This has been proven to be a costly exercise and the accuracy of the rapid test has been found wanted.

The level of exposure of workers to the virus, remains high within any place of business. There are no guarantees that any business place is safeguarded from the intrusion of the virus.

While employers are responsible for providing a safe place of work, they have their work cut out, if they are to attempt to guarantee this to employees and customers. It is for employers to insist on the following of the COVID 19 protocols within the workplace by members of staff, customers, clients and users.

Members of staff instead of challenging the directives of the management, ought to show a greater sense of responsibility and follow the instructions of the workplace. If the elimination of mask-wearing indoors is to become a thing of the past, as most would desire, the exercise of a little patience and discipline is all that is required.

Workplaces are meant to be peace zones, places where there is cooperation, understanding and togetherness. COVID-19 may have added another layer to the divisions that exist within some workplace, as the blame game becomes the order of the day.

There is finger-pointing as to which employee brought the virus into the workplace. This would hardly help to build morale and confidence amongst the members of staff. The resentment which surfaces is therefore not to be encouraged.

Employers, management, supervisors and individual members of staff are to be aware that team-building cannot take place in an environment of hostility. If it is that an individual undertakes to scorn another who contracted the COVID-19 virus, then it becomes clear that the enterprise or organization has problems.

As the world slowly returns to a state of normalcy, the threat of COVID-19 will diminish. Living with COVID will be a part of life going forward. What is learnt from the experience, is what should matter most.

It is a timely reminder to employers, management and employees, that safety and health in the workplace are not to be limited to the known, but also to the unknown.

Using this as a guiding principle, the focus should be on prevention rather than cure. Being proactive and engaging on matters on workplace safety and health, should take pride of place alongside the issue of productivity.

Dennis DePeiza is a labour & employee relations consultant, Regional Management Services Inc. Visit our Website: www.regionalmanagement services.com