BACK TO WORK

McAfee & Taft survey finds most Oklahoma businesses will reopen by May 30

Nearly three-quarters of employers plan to bring back employees in stages, according to a survey by an OKC law firm

In the wake of Gov. Kevin St it t' s plant ore open the Oklahoma economy, most state employers will partially or fully reopen by May 30, according to a survey by Oklahoma Citybased corporate law firm.

Some 70% will introduce new policies and procedures regarding social distancing, mask-wearing, employee travel, testing and telecommuting, according to about 400 responses to an online client survey conducted last week by McAfee & Taft.

Among the firm's corporate clients, which mostly employ 50 to 250 people, 71% have closed their offices due to COVID-19, while 29% have laid off or furloughed employees. However, 77% of respondents plan to at least partially reopen by the end of next month; that date could more likely sometime between May 11-18, based on anecdotal feedback to McAfee attorneys.

Nearly three- quarters of employers plan to bring back employees in stages, per the survey; 23% in different shifts, so they're not at the entrances, ti me clocks or water coolers at the same time; and 15% with r e duced hours based on demand for products and services.

Most businesses pl an t o restrict access to their premises by salespersons and vendors

(77%), while 62% aim to test employees before returning to work. Another 42% will test daily upon employees' arrival at work.

In videotaped commentary that accompanied survey results, McAfee's Kirk Turner urged employers “not to rush without the important planning piece," addressing safety issues, telecommuting and communications with employees.

Turner said he found most fascinating the statistic that 73% of companies plan for their workers to

continue telecommuting at some level, which would accommodate employees who may feel vulnerable returning to work.

Attorney Charlie Plumb said employee questionnaires about or testing for health symptoms, which would've been historically off- l i mits i n the workplace, will be permitted i n the wake of COVID19. With the blessing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some employers also plan to take the temperatures of workers before they enter workplaces.

“It's a new world,” said Turner, in terms of clarity for employees and the protection of employers.

“Just l i ke i n an equal

employment opportunity world, we want to be clear with workers, and the potential for disciplinary issues if they fail to meet (the new standards)," he said.

According to McAfee's survey, half of Oklahoma employers plan to allow or require employees to wear masks—if not in their offices, when they're in meetings next to co-workers or on the manufacturing line.

“It will be an ongoing process,” said Brandon Long, employee benefits attorney.

If there are surge sin C OVID -19 following reopening of the economy, employers may need to adjust policies, Long said.