The COVID-19 pandemic is upending the way employers conduct regular business
operations. Most industries now face a wide variety of challenges, including
dislocation of their workforce, lost revenues, changing priorities, and
employee safety, to name a few.
Three industry experts joined us for our special edition Out Front Ideas
COVID-19 Briefing Webinar Series to discuss the major issues facing each
of their industries.
- Shaun Jackson—executive director of risk management, Panda Restaurant
Group, Inc.
- Rich Reynolds—senior manager of workers compensation, Providence St.
Joseph Health Shared Services
- Steven Robles—assistant CEO, Los Angeles County
Public Entity
Public entities face a host of different issues based on their location
throughout the COVID-19 crisis. One of our guests explained the significant
issues facing public entities currently.
Resource Drain on Risk Management
Risk managers that typically handle workers compensation, liability,
finance, safety, privacy, and contracts for public entities are being
outsourced to function as disaster service workers, making resources limited.
Up to 60 percent of Los Angeles County's risk managers are being utilized
for disaster management.
Cyber and Privacy Challenges
Some employees are working remotely, but most public entities were not set
up for a large portion of the workforce to shift to remote work. Currently,
counties are learning how to manage security concerns associated with this
shift by adding layers of privacy, like virtual private networks.
Workers Compensation Presumptions
The resulting costs of presumptions for first responders and other essential
employees within the public entity realm could increase costs by 30–50 percent.
If post-traumatic stress disorder is included in presumption laws, it could
result in an additional 10–15 percent increase. Public entities are cutting
back budgets to mitigate expenses, but additional costs could lead to potential
layoffs.
Employees Returning to Work
Public entities consist of both frontline and remote employees. Plans are
being developed to phase in remote workers while still reducing possible
exposure for both groups of employees. Concerns like childcare access and
shielding more susceptible populations, such as the elderly and
immunocompromised, are all being considered.
Health Care
As one of the most drastically affected industries, healthcare employers
have to adjust to the constant challenges of COVID-19. One of our guests shares
the most pressing concerns facing the industry.
Personal Protective Equipment Shortages
The healthcare industry is enlisting other businesses and organizations to
fabricate masks and ramp up production of protective gear as they face a lack
of necessary protection for frontline employees caring for COVID-19
patients.
Uncertainty of the Future
Without having enough information about COVID-19, there are many questions
to be asked: Are states reopening too quickly? Will we face a second wave of
cases and deaths? Do we have the testing capabilities that allow a return to
our normal daily lives?
Financial Impact of Elective Procedures
Due to the massive influx of COVID-19 patients, elective procedures are
temporarily on hold. This pause has created a financial strain on a healthcare
system that relies on these procedures.
Telemedicine Development
One of the positive outcomes of COVID-19 has been increased access to
telemedicine. If this becomes a more cost-effective alternative, it could mean
a decrease in brick-and-mortar healthcare locations and a possible change in
overall business models.
Restaurants
The restaurant industry is facing one of the most challenging times in its
history. Still, some with overseas operations were preparing as early as
December, knowing the United States would eventually be affected. One of our
guests discussed the industry's challenges and how they are adapting.
Reworking Business Continuity and Crisis Response Programs
Due to the state-by-state and county-by-county differences in stay-at-home
orders, all crisis responses had to be retooled. Most of these plans had a
great framework, but because of the variances per jurisdiction, the industry
could not replicate and impose these plans. Data from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have made it
easier to track COVID-19 hot spots, allowing restaurants to manage location
openings.
Defining the Essential Workforce
Restaurant employers are working with local health officials to identify
which employees within a restaurant are essential. Since employers are at the
mercy of the latest emergency guidance per jurisdiction, these efforts to
comply help build relationships within each market.
Public Relations and Media Response
Since many jurisdictions are requiring guests to wear face masks in public,
restaurants are now having to learn how to respond to those opposing these
restrictions. Knowing possible confrontation with these guests could occur,
employers are responding by educating employees on how best to respond in these
situations. Health departments are now also publishing lists of locations where
five or more employees have tested positive for COVID-19, so restaurants are
now facing possible damage control if deemed an "outbreak
location."
Contact Tracing
Restaurants are moving forward with their own models of contact tracing for
cases of COVID-19, knowing that a government model could take time to develop.
They have set up their own process of quarantining and monitoring to prevent
further transmission of the virus, knowing that any outbreaks could damage
their reputation.
Change management, flexibility, and risk management have exposed their
critical importance in business operations throughout this pandemic. Knowing
this, all organizations will need to rethink their continuity plans as they
address the complexities of reopening and returning to work. Because we know
businesses will never again operate under the same model, there is an
ever-increasing need to think differently and to work together across multiple
industries to share insights and develop the best plans for the future.
Listen to the full Out Front Ideas with Kimberly and
Mark webinar on this topic. Stay tuned for more from the Out Front
Ideas COVID-19 Briefing Webinar Series, and view the full list of upcoming topics.
Mark Walls is vice president of communications and
strategic analysis for Safety National. See his full bio.