SHRM Statement on Coronavirus
Alexandria, Va., February 26, 2020 — Following the CDC's announcement that an outbreak of coronavirus in the U.S. is inevitable, SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) released the following statement:
"As more cases of COVID-19 continue to spread around the world and within the U.S., employers must take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this virus within the workplace. To preempt this potential danger, employers should ensure business continuity plans take into account and prepare for biological threats. SHRM recommends employers consider the following preventive measures: Actively encourage sick employees to stay home, send symptomatic employees home until they are able to return to work safely, and require employees returning from high-risk areas to telework during the incubation period. As with any widespread virus, bacterium or other biological threat, employers should take care to protect their workers and their future business operations. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak closely, following guidance from the World Health Organization, the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, India's national health agency, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By following these important precautions and by planning ahead, we can help contain and prevent the spread of coronavirus."
For more information, visit SHRM's resources on public health here.
SHRM is updating its guidance to employers as this situation develops. This statement has been updated as of March 4, 2020.
Media: Contact Julie Hirschhorn at Julie.Hirschhorn@shrm.org and 703-842-5152 or Cooper Nye at Cooper.Nye@shrm.org and 703-535-6447.
About SHRM
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.
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