How the Pandemic Created Labor Issues
Significant concerns with employer-employee rights and policies have arisen globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some more precise examples include the following.
Safety and Health at Work
Companies are required to take all necessary precautions to protect their workers from COVID-19 exposure, including offering personal protective equipment (PPE), enforcing social distancing rules, and permitting remote work where practical.
Leave and Accommodations
Workers exposed to or infected with COVID-19 may need time off to recover or be quarantined. Employers must comply with federal and state legislation governing paid sick leave and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave. Employees with disabilities or those at high risk for COVID-19 must also receive reasonable accommodations from their employers.
Privacy
Companies must compromise between safeguarding workers against COVID-19 exposure and their right to privacy. Businesses must keep employee medical information private and refrain from gathering unnecessary medical data.
The Industry Still Experiencing the Pandemic-Related Labor Issues
An industry that continues to struggle with employer-employee rights and policy issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic is the retail industry. In the retail sector, a few potential courses of action include:
- Giving employees additional instruction and materials on health and safety procedures.
- Employees who are ill or exposed to COVID-19 are given more paid sick time and compensation.
- Exploring alternate sources of income or seeking government assistance to avoid layoffs and business closures.
Policy Actions Needed
These actions may look different depending on the type of retail business. For example:
- A grocery store might introduce contactless payment methods and give staff members further training on cleaning techniques.
- In order to sustain income, a clothes store may provide additional paid sick time and benefits to workers who are ill or who have been exposed to COVID-19, as well as look into online sales or doorstep pickup possibilities.
- Government assistance may be provided to a small niche shop to prevent layoffs, adopt social distancing and other health measures, and ensure the staff and customers’ safety.