Removing the test based return to work option will likely cause a hardship to both employees (FFCRA sick pay is no longer mandatory) and employers. Many businesses have suffered and cannot continue to front money, wait on a tax credit, and maintain some level of financial stability.
Employees will be less likely to tell their employer they have symptoms since they will be put out (likely unpaid) for at least 10 days. Temperature checks do not work so employers have to rely on the employees being honest and reporting if they are experiencing symptoms.
It is unclear what to do if your employee has been exposed to someone who has tested positive.
2 positive cases in what time frame constitutes and outbreak???
Business owners, managers, Human Resource professionals, and the like are NOT healthcare professionals, but we are being put in a position to make decisions as such everyday that effect every single person around an employee who may have allergies, strep, the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19. Doctor's are not treating patients like they were a year ago so many who are sick go without answers.
I absolutely agree that we must protect our employees, but they must take responsibility in that too. We can't control what they do outside of work or what information they report to us, but we will still be held accountable for it.
Changes and updates to this need to be announced in a manner that is more widespread than the website and Richmond newspaper. You will have many who know nothing about this because they don't check the website regularly or get the Richmond paper.
