Employers prepare to check temperatures, step up cleaning

Fifty-eight percent of employers are planning to conduct employee temperature or health screenings as part of reopening business plans, according to a survey of 1,010 human resources and legal executives released last month by San Francisco-based employment law firm Littler Mendelson P.C.

The survey also found that 78% plan to reopen this summer, with increasing frequency and depth of cleaning and disinfecting worksites named the top safety protocol with 90% of respondents said they intend to focus on cleaner facilities. 

Meanwhile, 87% said they plan to limit or restrict employee contact in common areas; 86% plan to encourage face coverings; 78% plan to maintain distance in work areas; 78% plan to continue remote work spaces; and 68% plan to rotate work schedules. 

Of those who plan to conduct health screenings, 89% said they will rely on temperature checks and 72% said they will screen for symptoms of COVID-19. 

Regarding potential litigation, 71% of respondents said their counsel have expressed concerns about lawsuits over workers who contract the virus. The top three areas where respondents expect an uptick in employment-related claims and lawsuits are leaves of absence entitlements, unsafe working conditions and workers compensation, according to the survey. 

 The survey was conducted online between May 5 and 14, with 59% of respondents working in human resources and 31% working as in-house attorneys. Fifty-six percent of respondents worked for companies with more than 500 employees; 44% had more than 1,000 employees, according to a report on the results.