General Contractor Shares Best Practices in Unprecedented Coronavirus Crisis

Like countless other companies, Gilbane, Inc. has been working hard to ensure its people are informed and prepared to take care of themselves and their families during this coronavirus pandemic and through this time of need. The company is continuously monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control on the COVID-19 virus and following guidance from local authorities and, while every individual should assess their own risks and plan accordingly, the following are best practices Gilbane is taking to actively address the outbreak of COVID-19 across the global family business:

• Communicate and follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of illness
• Utilize a consistent protocol for assessing workers’ health and refer to the CDC risk assessment chart as a precautionary guide
• Create a dedicated, 24/7 COVID-19 Crisis Hotline and email for all employees to use as needed
• Educate employees on telemedicine screening options
• Keep employees continuously informed through a Frequently Asked Questions forum
  Here are some items the company included:
  • Definition of the coronavirus and prevention guidelines – per CDC
  • A guide for personal wellness with health benefit summaries and contacts
  • Workplace scenario planning in the event an employee is exposed to or diagnosed with the virus
  • Telecommuting options for those affected by school closings, family illness, community quarantine impacts and more
  • Current travel policies, personal travel recommendations and a link to the CDC Traveler site
  • Resources from the CDC including this What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 guide
  • A link to the company’s short-term disability application
• Communicate with clients and inform them of the actions being taken to maintain safe operations on their behalf
• Communicate detailed guidelines to subcontractors/suppliers to reinforce the importance of housekeeping and other wellness procedures
• Monitor and understand the impacts of supply chain challenges to business continuity plans
• Convene leaders continually throughout the day to share information and update resources for employees to help them stay informed, remain calm, and focused on their well-being