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Seven Worst Compliance Fails of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Compliance Week

Some companies dealing with shutdowns, disruptions, sickness, and shortages rose to the occasion. But many have stumbled, misjudged the risks, did not have a business continuity plan, or fumbled its implementation. Here are seven of the worst compliance and ethics fails of the coronavirus pandemic—so far—with (hopefully) some lessons learned:

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3. Coronavirus infections have plagued essential workplaces

Beyond PPE shortages, another glaring problem “has been very poor communication between employers and their employees,” said Gus Sandstrom, partner with the employment law firm Blank Rome. Employers should explain their current situation with PPE as clearly and often as possible, he said. That includes informing employees when PPE will be available and what steps they can take in the meantime to protect themselves.

“Employees want to know their company is trying to take care of them,” Sandstrom said. “In most situations, employees are willing to give employers the benefit of the doubt.”

Even employers struggling to obtain enough PPE can show they care for employees by doing everything possible to reduce transmission by cleaning workspaces; spacing employees at least six feet apart; staggering work start and stop times to reduce crowding; taking temperatures of employees before work, sending anyone home who shows symptoms of coronavirus; and notifying affected employees if one of their co-workers falls ill, Sandstrom said.

“Seven Worst Compliance Fails of the Coronavirus Pandemic,” by Aaron Nicodemus, was published in Compliance Week on May 5, 2020.