Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Human Resources (HR)

by | Mar 12, 2020 | Health & Wellbeing, Human Resources, Injury Prevention

The COVID?19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses and their Human Resources (HR) teams. From managing workplace health and safety to supporting employees through remote work and mental health concerns, HR plays a critical role in ensuring compliance, resilience, and employee well-being. For organisations like ABILITY GROUP, understanding the impact of Coronavirus (COVID?19) on HR is essential to navigating these complex times.

COVID-19 has disrupted Australian workplaces across HR, WHS, and compensation, requiring businesses to follow government advice:

  1. temporarily close – pubs, cafes/restaurants (non-take away), gyms, etc
  2. transform normal business operations by transitioning some/all employees to work from home or
  3. essential services

Across all business categories, key steps are often overlooked in the rush to maintain continuity.

Employers need to be aware of:

  1. Working from Home Policy should be an part of existing HR Policies and Procedures
  2. Relevant awards, employment agreements/contracts or enterprise agreements
  3. Physical & mental health related issues

Working From Home

Employers must assess home?based risks, balance challenges, and consider agreements to ensure safety and compliance.

In helping mitigate risks, businesses should implement and communicate:

  • Working from Home HR Policy
  • Workplace Safety Assessment – individual check-list or WHS
  • Ergonomic Assessment

Awards, Employment or Enterprise Agreements

Our legal provider can often assist with initial free advice, with specific actions requiring fees

Physical & Mental Health Related Issues

Feeling isolated, working excessive hours or fighting temptations to polish off the leftover ice cream are some examples of the issues for working from home.

Top 5 suggestions for helping maintain physical and mental health whilst working from home include:

  1. Have dedicated separate workspace
  2. Maintain a healthy work-life balance by logging your time and setting limits
  3. Staying active by getting out of your chair every hour
  4. Use a good chair
  5. Keep your kitchen stocked with healthy snacks and meals

Please contact us to discuss.

Source: ABC
Title: Coronavirus COVID-19:
Read Time: 2 minutes

Source: InsideHR
Title: The employment related implications of COVID-19
Read Time: 5 minutes