As call centers begin to reopen during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to promote a healthy work environment by implementing social distancing guidelines. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), social distancing means keeping at least six feet between employees at all times in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Follow these tips to promote social distancing at your call center.
Stagger Employee Schedules
One of the best ways to ensure social distancing is adhering to a staggered employee schedule. This involves staggering shifts so that a fewer number of employees are in the call center at any given time. You should also consider staggering when employees take their breaks as well to avoid overcrowding of hallways and common areas.
Increase Spacing Between Workstations
Consider rearranging the physical layout of your call center so that there is as much space between each workstation as possible. If you are staggering schedules, you can also strive to reconfigure the layout so that no two people working on the same shifts are next to each other.
Promote Teleworking
Continue to promote as much teleworking as your call center business operations can allow. Make sure that your cybersecurity protocols are updated. Provide the necessary training and support to both supervisors of teleworkers and remote employees to ensure continued success.
Take Protective Measures
There will undoubtedly be times when more than one employee is walking down the hallway or using the common areas at the same time. Consider these protective measures:
- Install plastic sneeze guards if and where appropriate.
- Automatic doors reduce the need to touch door handles when entering and exiting.
- Marked flow paths for traffic can help keep employees socially distanced.
Train Employees on Social Distancing Protocols
Make sure that your employee handbook is updated to reflect your call center’s social distancing protocols. These protocols should be made readily available for all employees to reference. You should also conduct proper training to ensure that every employee understands the proper social distancing procedures.
Ready to Find Your Next Hire?
Implementing social distancing protocols will help to ensure the safety of your employees. When it comes time to find your call center’s next great team member, partner with the premier contact center staffing agency. Salem Solutions will take the time to understand your call center’s unique staffing needs and find the right candidate to fit your needs. Request an employee today!
