BBB Business Tip: Four Ways to Keep Your Business and Employees Safe During COVID-19

Take a Proactive Stance

As the world responds to a pandemic, the most important role for you as a business owner or manager is to protect yourself, your employees, and your customers. You are in a leadership role to guide, direct and reassure those who work for you and those who count on you for products or services. A responsible, proactive approach will show your stakeholders that you understand the magnitude and the uncertainty of the current situation, and that goodwill, trust, and transparency are guiding your decisions.

The following information will help you contribute to a healthier work environment and position you as a responsible citizen in your community. The coronavirus outbreak is a dynamic situation with ever-changing impact. It is taking a tremendous toll on people of all countries, ethnicities, ages, and lifestyles. Whether coronavirus cases are spiking across North America or not, your business will most likely be impacted by changes in buying habits, disruptions to supply chains, and more. The Better Business Bureau® hopes this toolkit is helpful to you, and we will continue to strive to be a reliable source of information throughout this situation.

Be a Part of the Solution

There are ways for you and your business to be a part of the solution for your community. Consider highly visible, community-centric tactics to demonstrate your commitment. There are many activities you could pursue such as giving out free hand sanitizer and providing different service or delivery options for those impacted.

Protect Your Employees and Your Customers

BBB is driven to help our communities, and especially our Accredited Businesses, manage the current situation in an informed and responsible manner. It is important for you to proceed with honesty, instilling trust in your customers, employees, and others. Encourage your employees to adhere to the following guidelines to help control the spread of the disease. Be sure to communicate the defensive steps you are taking to safeguard the health of your employees and their families, your customers, and your community.

Practice Good Hygiene

Don’t shake hands or touch others outside your immediate household to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use paper towels. They are less likely to spread the disease than jet dryers. In-between hand washings, frequently use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Practice social distancing (6 feet) with anyone not in your immediate household.
Always wear a mask and do not remove it to cough or sneeze. Replace disposable masks regularly and wash cloths masks daily.
Refrain from touching your face.
Routinely disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, chairs, desks, and handrails.
Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.
Limit food sharing.

Managing Your Business

Require masks at all times. Supply high-quality masks to your employees and make disposable masks available for customers who forget them.
Use videoconferencing for meetings when possible.
Hold meetings in open, well-ventilated rooms (or outdoors when feasible).
Adjust or postpone large meetings or gatherings.
Assess the risks of business travel and eliminate any unnecessary trips.
Follow official recommendations regarding public events, travel, and conferences.
Consider a rapid-read thermometer to test employees and customers before they enter your place of business (people with temperatures above 100 degrees should not be admitted).
Make sure employees know the symptoms and when to stay home.
Create or update your risk response plan

Stay Home If:

You feel sick or have a sick family member in your home
You have a fever or other symptoms

Build Confidence with Your Employees

Take action! Involve your employees by strongly encouraging them to take defensive steps to safeguard their health and the health of their communities. It is important to stay informed about the progress and impact of the virus. Access reliable, knowledgeable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the world

Health Organization (WHO). Guide and reassure your employees by keeping them up to

date to prevent unnecessary panic or undue stress. Arm yourself with the most current

information and share it with your workforce to show leadership and calm fears.

Be Guided by the BBB Standards for Trust

Our standards for marketplace trust can be adapted to the current situation:

Build Trust—Refrain from doing anything that looks like you’re taking advantage of the coronavirus situation. Keep prices and services the same (and explain if market conditions require you to raise prices). Consider your daily operations as business-as-usual with a few minor adjustments to help prevent the virus from spreading.

Advertise Honestly—Do not fuel fears. More than anything, you need to act as a calming and reassuring partner to your customers. Continue with your standard advertising, but add a reference that you’re following public health protocols to stem the transmission of the virus.

Tell the Truth—The virus may impact deliverables. Be honest with your customers regarding timelines and product availability. Set realistic expectations if your delivery or service is impacted by illness or precautions. Set clear expectations with your customers. They will respect that you are thinking about them and taking this seriously.

Be Transparent/Honor Promises—If you are unable to fulfill commitments, communicate immediately with your customers, rather than disappointing them and having to rationalize the reasons after the fact.

Be Responsive/Embody Integrity—Demonstrate purpose and support for your community. Businesses can play a vital role in maintaining strong communities, even in challenging times.

Read the full BBB Standards for Trust.