Ensuring the health and safety of employees at work
By decree of March 19, 2021 ( decree no. 2021-296 ), the public authorities ordered new health measures to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic in several departments, including Ile-de-France, which notably resulted in a ban on leaving one's home between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., except in the cases of exemption provided for.
This decree therefore provides for additional travel restriction measures.
In this context, the Ministry of Labour updated on March 23 the national health protocol prescribing to companies a number of measures to deal with the said epidemic and ensure the health and safety of employees at work.
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Telework
The measure preferred by public authorities to limit social interactions remains teleworking.
Public authorities intend to strengthen its implementation within companies for all tasks that can be performed remotely.
Companies located in areas subject to additional travel restrictions are therefore required to adopt an action plan "for the coming weeks" to reduce the physical presence of employees in the workplace, taking into account activities that can be performed remotely. This action plan must be discussed internally within the framework of local social dialogue.
The actions implemented must be presented to the labor inspectorate in the event of an inspection.
It is worth recalling that remote work has been implemented at 100% for employees who can perform all their tasks remotely. However, a return to the office one day a week is possible for employees working remotely full-time, when they express the need and the employer does not object.
When 100% remote working cannot be implemented, the employer must then plan measures to limit social interactions, in particular by staggering the arrival and departure times of its staff in order to limit crowds during peak hours.
It must also ensure that the wearing of category 1 or surgical masks is made mandatory in enclosed communal spaces, although employees working in an individual office may be exempt.
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Screening strategy to ensure the health and safety of employees at work
The national health protocol then provides for new measures concerning the screening strategy.
People who show symptoms of Covid-19 are now required to self-isolate at home "as soon as symptoms appear" and to get tested as soon as possible.
In situations where they are unable to work remotely, they have the option of declaring themselves on sick leave and receiving Daily Social Security Allowances (IJSS) as soon as symptoms are declared, without a waiting period, but on the condition of taking a PCR test within 48 hours.
People who have been in contact with someone infected with Covid-19 are asked to self-isolate in order to ensure the health and safety of employees at work.
It is specified that those who have been contacted by the health insurance services as part of "contact tracing" will have the possibility of requesting sick leave without a waiting period, but on the condition of always carrying out a PCR test within 48 hours.
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Catering
The new version of the guide dedicated to the organization and operation of company restaurants encourages the implementation of takeaway meal baskets to be consumed at the workstation for all or some of the employees.
Whether lunch takes place in the company restaurant or at the workstation, it is recommended that employees eat lunch alone, leaving an empty seat opposite them and respecting a distancing rule of two meters between each diner, i.e. 8 m² around each employee.
Just like water fountains, bulk food offerings must also be removed.
In the presence of company restaurants, spaces must be reorganized, trays must be prepared by catering staff and services must be staggered to reduce the number of employees present in the company restaurant.
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Clarification regarding transport by vehicle
Employers are now asked to limit " as much as possible the organisation of the transport of several employees in the same vehicle in the context of professional activity ".
If this mode of transport is necessary, employees must each wear a mask, respect hand hygiene rules and the vehicle must be cleaned/disinfected and ventilated regularly.
