{"id":32232,"date":"2020-06-19T10:38:27","date_gmt":"2020-06-19T09:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/?p=32232"},"modified":"2021-04-27T13:27:17","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T12:27:17","slug":"coronavirus-how-your-small-business-can-bounce-back-post-lockdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/coronavirus-how-your-small-business-can-bounce-back-post-lockdown","title":{"rendered":"Coronavirus: How your small business can bounce back post-lockdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the UK slowly eases the coronavirus lockdown in line with the government\u2019s new COVID-19 recovery strategy<\/strong><\/a>, small business owners are preparing to reopen \u2013 with colleague and customer safety as a key priority. Here are ten tasks that you should tackle to return to work after COVID-19 safer and stronger than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do inside your business premises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. Deep clean your working area<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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No matter whether your business operates in an office, retail shop or warehouse, you may want to consider an initial deep clean<\/strong><\/a> before you reopen. A cleaner<\/strong><\/a> will focus on disinfecting the equipment and shared areas of your premises, for example bathrooms and computer keyboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you, your staff or any visitors develop any symptoms of coronavirus, follow the government guidance on cleaning your premises<\/strong><\/a> afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Redesign your layout<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where possible, you should reorganise\nyour work area so that a 2-metre distance can be maintained between your staff.\nYou could move desks apart, put up signs to remind people to stick to the rule\nand place tape markers on the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 2-metre rule needs to be\nfollowed throughout your premises, so don\u2019t forget to use tape markers at all\nentrances and exits, as well as in break rooms and canteens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the Health & Safety Executive\u2019s (HSE) safe working recommendations<\/a> <\/strong>is to install protective screens to create a physical barrier between people. A handyman<\/strong><\/a> or window fitter<\/strong><\/a> can help you out with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Check your fittings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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You might not have been to visit your business for a while, so it\u2019s important that you get all electrical and plumbing fixtures thoroughly checked out. A plumber<\/strong><\/a> can spot the not-so-obvious issues which can cause long-term damage, whilst an electrician<\/strong><\/a> will make sure that no faults have developed during lockdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Get a pest control inspection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With coronavirus causing buildings to be empty, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA)<\/strong><\/a> has discovered a 51% increase in rat activity and a 41% increase in mice becoming the new tenants in buildings across the UK. Other pests that you might come across include moths, bed bugs and wasps. Plus, with the weather getting warmer, pest activity will increase further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At Rated People, we saw jobs for pest control specialists rise by between 90 \u2013 115% in the first two weeks of June, compared to pre-lockdown (the beginning of March). So, get a pest control specialist<\/strong><\/a> in to check that you don\u2019t have any unwanted visitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do outside your business premises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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5. Spruce up your green areas<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Whilst many of us have become DIY gardeners<\/a> <\/strong>during lockdown, your business premises might not have seen the same love. Any overgrown foliage and dead plants on or immediately surrounding your premises will need to be cleaned up before you re-open. A tidy premises is a clear sign to customers that you\u2019re open for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your business stands out from the competition by hiring a gardener<\/a> <\/strong>to spruce up your premises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Get your windows cleaned<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s likely that dirt and dust\nhas collected on your windows over the past few months. Some types of debris\ncan even cause long-term damage, which could mean you\u2019ll need to replace the\nwindow. If your business is in the countryside, then you might find that some\npollen has built up too, given the time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A professional window cleaner<\/strong><\/a> can make your business look more presentable, as well as making your windows last longer. It\u2019s important that commercial windows are cleaned roughly once a month anyway, to get rid of any grimy build-up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to develop a COVID-19 work policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s important that you create a company policy to make sure you have preventative measures in place to mitigate the risk of coronavirus spreading. Your policy will also lay out guidelines for staff to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Complete a risk assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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HSE recommends<\/strong><\/a> that you complete a risk assessment to protect yourself, your employees and others from coronavirus. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n