The Future of Work - Part 1 - Building a Healthy Communications Culture

With so many buzzwords floating around about new information around Coronavirus and how to prevent its spread, the concept of contact tracing and what it means for a safe return to the workplace are difficult to understand. Contact tracing is important - but what does it actually mean to implement it in a workspace? And can it help your employees?

1. What is contact tracing?

   Contact tracing is the process of following COVID-19 exposure by tracking who has come into contact with who, so that it is easy to notify people who have been potentially exposed to the infectious disease.

2. Why is contact tracing important?

   According to the CDC, contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by making it easy to let the appropriate people know if they have exposed, helping people who have been exposed get tested, and asking people to self-isolate if they have confirmed their cases or been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case. In a workplace such as an office or warehouse, contact tracing can help by contributing two crucial pieces of information:

   • Identifying potential spreaders: These personnel can then be notified and take the appropriate steps to stay safe.
   • Identify high-infection areas of your work: This allows employers to trouble-shoot areas and teams that may need a shift in safety protocol, and prevent others from getting infected.

   Having access to this type of data can be monumental in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 among employees.

3. How can contact tracing be implemented in workplaces?

   There are several ways in which companies can begin to implement a contact tracing protocol within their organizations, the most popular of which is the use of a contact tracing app on employees’ electronic devices. An app like DoZen’s SafeAtWork can automatically registers people who are in the same physical space as having made “contact” through its interaction tracking feature. And with daily symptom screening and immediate notifications, it’s easy and effective for organizations to keep their workforces safe.

4. What else can organizations do to keep employees safe as they return to the office?

   Keep in mind that while contact tracing is no doubt a vital element in slowing the spread of COVID-19, it works best when used every day alongside other preventative measures, which means that remote work where possible is still one of the best ways to keep your employees safe. To find out more about how your company can implement contact tracing through a digital platform, visit DoZen SafeAtWork.