No matter what industry you’re in or the size of your company, the spread of COVID-19 has left all of us adjusting to a new normal. As businesses are allowed to re-open, a big part of this new normal is mask wearing. We’ve gathered a few tips to help your team make this transition back into the workplace.
Know the Local Mandates
At the location of our home office in Tallahassee, Fla., our County Commission recently passed an emergency order requiring masks in public indoor spaces and outside where residents are unable to practice social distancing. Every area is different and the rules are changing quickly, so be sure to stay up to date on your county and city orders.
Create a Company Mask Policy Now
Even if your city doesn’t have a required mask order in place, be prepared now with a mask policy of your own. Ask yourself (and your management team) these questions:
- Who should wear a mask? (e.g. employees, customers)
- Will you make exceptions? (e.g. customers under a certain age)
- Where are masks required? (e.g. on the sales floor but not in the warehouse)
- What is the procedure for customers without a mask? Will you require them for entry?
- What about employees? Will team members be sent home?
- For team members, are company-provided masks required? What other color/styles/branded masks are allowed/not allowed?
To eliminate any confusion about your company’s mask guidelines for customers and employees, you can post the relevant information at entrances, in showrooms and in employee-only spaces such as breakrooms and stockrooms. You may also want to post it online on your Google My Business page, website, social media profiles, etc. Have a meeting with your entire team about the policy and any recent updates, so they can answer customer questions.
Educate Your Team on Mask Wearing
Your mask policy is about protecting your team members, their families and your customers. But most of your employees won’t jump for joy when they’re required to wear a mask. Educating your team on CDC recommendations and best practices for comfortable mask-wearing can help make this transition easier and more comfortable. Share these tips with your team:
Wearing Your Mask Correctly:
- Wash your hands before putting on your mask
- Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
- Masks should fit snuggly against the sides of your face
- Make sure you can breathe easily
- Don’t put the mask around your neck or on your forehead
Removing Your Mask Correctly:
- Remove by the strings or ear loops
- Fold outside corners together
- Place your mask in the washing machine to be washed, or discard one-time use masks
Avoiding Foggy Glasses
- Find a mask with a secure fit; masks with large gaps at the top will contribute to fogging
- Pick a mask that can be molded at the top and pinch the top of the mask around your nose
- Wear your mask against your face, underneath your glasses
- Use wipes or sprays meant to defog glasses; be sure to check with your optician before using any new products on your glasses
Provide Company Masks
To help ease the transition, you can provide your team members with branded, company face coverings. Not only will this take one more item off their pandemic to-do list, it will help your team look more consistent and professional.
If you would like to learn more about the many style and fabric options for affordable branded masks, the team at Full Press Apparel is ready to help. You can see our collections online or contact us at 850-222-1003 or info@fullpressapparel.com.
