USA folks (sorry international audience, come witness our id–tic state vs. federal vs. employee rights BATTLEFIELD )
- - In case anyone is wondering and hasn’t learned this yet — since Texas’ stay at home orders will expire April 28, and selected non-essential business can operate in Phase 1: workers who were furloughed or put on reduced hours who are claiming Unemployment Benefits (or had put in applications and still pending decisions) MUST return to work at their original workplace if the business has reopened and all minimum OSHA required safety precautions taken.
The reduced hours /furlough status remains in effect until end of May - but the UI benefits will only be valid if you return to your job. Even if you fear risk of contracting the virus and don’t want to return, they can force you (economically) to report back into the workplace - offices, or stores.
If you quit the job for fear of exposure, then you (or employer will) notify TWC office or other State anyway (change of status) and quitting /choosing to leave is not allowed to keep receiving UI benefits.
Exception- May keep getting UI benefits when you don’t return to work because you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick. (Proof must be provided to claim this)
It would be at discretion of managers / directors and up (unless a better HR company wide policy created) is whether to let those who feel extreme risk (are immunocompromised themselves, or taking care of those in their household).
And second problem: kids cannot return to schools or daycares for at least another month or more. If childcare is needed to work outside the home, huge difficulty finding available ones now - the frontline service and healthcare workers need it, plus whatever other businesses workers, too.
I don’t think a mid-May office /store reopening is feasible without:
- ) Communication of office reopening action plan, describing all safety & sanitizing measures in effect, and for how long.
- ) Worker operations staffing plans to either stagger work shifts, or have social distancing throughout office or retail premises. Workstations /seating for 6ft space apart, communal areas seating reduced capacity or marked for spacing.
- ) Create a Health Alert/ alarm procedure similar to fire alarms where if a potential threat is found (such as COVID confirmed on site) - workers must evacuate the building and contact areas sanitized and cleared. No more Whisper network /slow reacting secret meetings level by level and then hours later a notification email - Use the damn Public Announcement system - it has be be treated URGENTLY.
- ) Temperature scans before work shifts start. Provide more hygiene supplies throughout work areas. Let people keep wearing masks if desired. LIMIT large in person meetings.
- ) Adopt a better, fairer Work from Home policy and stop Favoritism /Bias and varying arrangements on a department by department basis. Those with and without children or elders to care for, should have equal access to WFH if their role allows. As we’ve all demonstrated — most office roles can be done remotely. Bodies in desks is a concept that needs to evolve.