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In most economic downturns, the call from an employer to come back to work is welcome news. But as with everything else in the age of COVID-19, the decision to go back may not be so simple — especially if you or someone in your household is at high-risk for a severe case of the virus.
And uncertainty around back-to-school this year poses an additional dilemma: Will instruction be virtual? In person? Or a hybrid? And what if your child’s school reopens and is forced to shut back down again?
“I think my biggest concern is actually getting the chance to be ‘out there,’” said Kerry Sauriol. The Vancouver mother of three told Mom.com she is especially concerned about her kids’ education situation. “Now with back to school — is it safe? Is it safe for us? My mom? Do we now isolate from her again because of the risk of exposure? How do we homeschool if I am working?” she wondered.
Is it safe to return to work during COVID-19?
UCLA School of Law professor Katherine Stone advises employees to ask some questions before returning to their workplaces.
“They should inquire what kind of precautions are in place, what kinds of protective equipment is in place, what kinds of sanitary activities are being taken, what kinds of protections for people in terms of distancing and to limit contacts with others. They should first inquire before they decide it’s too dangerous to go back to work,” she told the Los Angeles Times.
If you are not satisfied with their answers, and working from home is not an option, you are faced with a dilemma: If you refuse the summons to go back, can you retain your unemployment benefits?
Unfortunately, there’s no national policy to protect workers from COVID-19, so the answers to these questions will depend on the laws and policies of your state. A Better Balance is a nonprofit dedicated to leveraging the law “to ensure that no worker has to make the impossible choice between their job and their health or their family.”
The organization has a comprehensive COVID-19 guide to help you determine what rights you have in this area. They also provide free advice through a confidential helpline.
“At the federal level, and broadly speaking, I’m not aware of any protection that allows you to stay home with job protection or to collect pay simply because you are concerned about exposure to COVID-19 without sort of an underlying health condition,” Christine Dinan, one of A Better Balance’s staff attorneys, told AARP magazine. “However, if you are immunocompromised or if you have a certain health condition that makes you more susceptible to serious complications, you may be entitled to continue teleworking as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
Before you decide, make sure your workplace is following CDC guidelines
Deciding whether to return to work may be determined by how safe you’ll feel once you’re there. As Stone mentioned above, inquire as to how strictly your company is following CDC COVID-19 safety protocols for workplaces.
The CDC reminds workers that the more close contact they have with others, the more they risk contracting the virus. They urge you to take responsibility for limiting your own exposure and that of your coworkers by:
- Wearing a mask
- Keeping your distance from others
- Practicing good hand hygiene
- Avoid sharing objects and equipment
- Sanitizing your work surfaces and equipment frequently (with your own sanitizer and wipes, if your employer doesn’t provide any)
- Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Monitoring yourself for symptoms and staying home if you suspect COVID-19
While personal responsibility is a major part of the equation, you should also ask how the company supports workers in these practices.
“With the proper controls in place (like masking and social distancing), in most places, it is reasonably safe,” University of Michigan Medical School epidemiologist Amanda M. Valyko told USA Today.
How to search for a new job during COVID-19
If you decide to decline your employer’s invitation to return and that results in the end of your benefits, you may need to find a new job with more flexibility. The pandemic economy makes that more of a challenge — but it’s not impossible, according to Linda Schwartz, founder of CareerKids.com. Schwartz offered Mom.com the following tips:
Be flexible.
“Perhaps you hear of a job for which you are overqualified. Don’t make it beneath you to take something lower than your previous status and don’t feel bad about it either,” Schwartz advised. “Besides providing a paycheck, it can be a foot in the door to new opportunities.”
Evaluate your transferable skills.
If you’ve got skills that are valuable for many industries, look outside your current field.
Think outside the box.
Don’t think a good job can be on Craigslist? Think again. Do not overlook any source, Schwartz said. Get on lists and respond to anything and everything where there are postings.
Network.
Schwartz advised casting a wide net, and don’t be shy about reaching out. “Look for virtual networking groups. Write an email and send it to everyone in your contact list,” she said. “Be sure to be positive with your tone and state what you bring to the table. Do not hesitate to let anyone you talk to know you are looking.”
Be clear in your needs.
“If you are not in a position to work daily in an office or retail, that is OK,” she said. “You need to feel safe and comfortable in your environment. When interviewing, it’s up to you to also screen the company.”
Above all, Schwartz said, “Remain positive.”
