In the post-COVID world, employers are faced with the challenge of ensuring the occupational health and safety of employees with constantly evolving work arrangements. Employers must address the needs of workers in remote and hybrid settings and also protect and promote the health of employees whose jobs require them to be present onsite or in the field.

Meeting Needs Where Employees Are

According to a Pew Research report, 35 percent of full-time employees work from home, while 41 percent work a hybrid model. Regardless of where they are, employees need support in the form of regular communication and feedback channels, resources for skill development, and reliable access to necessary tools and platforms to safely perform their tasks.

Here are some suggestions to help support remote, hybrid and field workers:

1. Ergonomics: Encourage remote employees to set up bio-ergonomic adjustments at home to increase comfort. Provide guidelines and resources to help them optimize their physical setup, including proper desk and chair height and monitor placement.
2. Mental health: Prioritize mental health by offering resources such as virtual counseling services, wellness programs and regular check-ins to ensure employees’ emotional well-being. Work in remote and field locations can lead to feelings of isolation and increased stress.
3. Communication and collaboration: Foster open and regular communication channels. Use virtual collaboration tools to ensure seamless connectivity, encourage team-building activities, and facilitate virtual meetings to maintain a sense of belonging and collaboration.

Many people were required to be onsite for work during the pandemic, and more being asked to return to workplaces in person every day. Ergonomic interventions, access to mental health services and ongoing communications are necessary for them, as well. Here are some additional reminders for onsite team members:

1. Regulatory compliance: Ensure strict adherence to health and safety regulations and guidelines. Implement necessary measures such as sanitation protocols, medical surveillance exams based on existing hazards and providing personal protective equipment.
2. Training and education: Conduct training sessions to educate employees about hazard awareness and emergency protocols, and regularly update employees on safety guidelines and best practices.
3. Workplace adjustments: Adapt physical workspaces to minimize potential exposure to contagious diseases such as colds, the flu and COVID-19. This might include rearranging workstations, installing protective barriers, and regularly changing filters in heating and cooling systems.

WorkCare helps employers support remote and onsite employees. Our Industrial Athlete Program features onsite and virtual consultations with industrial injury prevention specialists who have training in ergonomics, sports medicine, first aid, safety and wellness. We staff with physicians, nurses, mid-level practitioners, first responders and other clinical personnel, and we manage to ensure regulatory compliance and employee health protection. Contact us to learn more.