
The safety and protection of employees has top priority
What are your obligations as an employer? You have a an obligation to ensure the welfare of your employees. This means taking measures that are necessary for their health. Such measures are intended to prevent infection or the spread of the virus and must be suitable, appropriate and within reason for the current situation. One example of a concrete measure is making hand disinfectant available at the workplace.
Measuring employees' body temperature is a very delicate matter. In hospitals and nursing homes, however, it can be quite useful and appropriate to ensure that employees do not have a fever. Deciding which protective measures are proportionate and reasonable therefore depends heavily on the business in question.
How to protect yourself
- Use consistent hand hygiene by washing your hands regularly and using hand disinfectant, especially after taking public transport and using handkerchiefs.
- Avoid handshakes
- Sneeze and cough into the crook of your arm or a handkerchief. After use, dispose of the handkerchief in a closed trash can.
- Self quarantine: If symptoms such as fever, coughing or breathing difficulties occur, seek medical help by telephone and stay at home.
Further information can be found on the Federal Office of Public Health's (FOPH) website.
As an employer, are you liable if your employees get sick at work?
What you should be aware of when employees show symptoms of coronavirus
As an employer, you can require employees to remain in quarantine at home for a period of time and, if possible, to work from their home office. If employees are unable to work from home, employers still have an obligation to continue to pay wages. In the case of a quarantine ordered by the authorities, the situation could be different.