Hartford Business Journal

14 Hartford Business Journal • October 19, 2020 • www.HartfordBusiness.com By Cara Rosner Special to the Hartford Business Journal A s the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into its seventh month, with no imminent end in sight, many business leaders have a grow- ing list of questions: What is the safest way to keep or return employees to the workplace? Should employers offer testing to their workers? What's the best way to prevent sickness from spreading through- out an office, retail shop or factory? As Connecticut embarks on its latest phase of reopening, questions and concerns abound. After getting an influx of inqui- ries from area businesses, Hartford HealthCare has launched its "Hart- ford HealthCare at Work" program, intended to answer business leaders' questions, address their concerns, and offer a customized plan of ac- tion to meet their needs during this unprecedented time. "We saw a need with the onset of CO- VID," said Dr. Mitchell McClure, clinical executive leader of Hartford Health- Care's COVID-19 testing taskforce. "We got a lot of requests for assistance from a variety of local businesses. Hartford HealthCare at Work is really what we put together in response to that." Since its launch in May, more than 10 businesses have participated in the program, said McClure. The scope of services, and their pricing, depends on how in-depth compa- nies want it to be. Offerings can be tailored to accommodate businesses of any size across all sectors. Some companies opt mainly for consulting services, which are priced at an hourly rate; others use the pro- gram to provide on-site COVID test- ing to their employees, which brings additional fees, McClure said. "[The cost] really varies depending on the level of engagement," he said. Many companies using the program so far are most interested in learning more about testing — whether they should test their work- ers for COVID and, if so, how they should do it. Other businesses are using the program to tap into Hart- ford HealthCare's network of medical experts for guidance on return-to- work policies and procedures, as well as infection-control measures. The program's most extensive corporate relationship so far is with New Britain-based Stanley Black & Decker. The manufacturer had an existing relationship with Hartford HealthCare prior to the pandemic; McClure is Stanley's chief medi- cal officer, in addition to his role at Hartford HealthCare. He also is director of hospital medicine at Hartford Hospital and Hartford HealthCare Medical Group. At Stanley Black & Decker, the Hart- ford HealthCare at Work program focuses on various aspects of the company's approach to the pandemic. McClure reviews the company's back- to-work and maintenance-of-work guidance, examines relevant corpo- Front-line Advice Hartford HealthCare launches consulting business to help employers navigate COVID-19 risks FOCUS: RETURNING TO WORK CT office space safety rules amid COVID-19 Here are some rules Connecticut employers must follow as they continue to reopen their offices: Keep an employee log for those who come into office (supports contact tracing) Stagger shifts and breaks; limit visitors Create social distancing markers Limit shared equipment (clean after each use) Face mask or cloth face covering required (limited exceptions) Employer must supply masks, gloves, and eye protection Employees are encouraged to con- tinue to work from home where possible Source: CT Department of Economic and Community Development Hartford HealthCare's Dr. Mitchell McClure is shown on a webcast providing COVID-19-related safety advice to Stanley Black & Decker employees. IMAGE | CONTRIBUTED

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