COVID-19 employee training also helps protect the health and safety of customers and clients. Employees trained to implement safe work practices convey confidence that their workplace is safe and healthy. When your employees feel safe and protected, they impart that same feeling to your customers and clients. People who feel that an environment is safe will become repeat customers and clients. 

Several states currently require COVID-19 employee training, including California and Virginia. An employer’s failure to provide the required employee training can result in sizable penalties. COVID-19 workplace outbreaks can also result in workers’ compensation and other legal liability, as well as a public relations debacle. Employers who view employee training with this lens understand training is a highly effective risk management tool to protect their bottom line. 

COVID-19 workplace rules in California and Virginia differentiate between when an employer must provide employees with "training" versus “written information.” The intent of “training” used in the rules represents instructor lead or narrated online training rather than only written materials, such as a PowerPoint presentation that employees are expected to read on their own.

OSHA enforces the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which gives employees the right to a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. OSHA’s COVID-19 guidance advises employers to “educate and train” employees on the associated hazards and safety measures needed to limit virus spread in the workplace. OSHA has the authority to inspect workplaces for occupational health and safety violations, and if necessary, issue citations and impose penalties. Any employee may file a complaint and request an OSHA inspection if they suspect a serious hazard in their workplace.

Employees should receive COVID-19 training before or very shortly after they return to in-person work. All new hires for in-person work should also receive training. Although some state training mandates are silent on this issue, the clear objective is to educate workers on how to protect themselves and to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Employees who lack knowledge about COVID-19 safe work practices can endanger themselves and others in the workplace. 

COVID-19 employee training should cover the safe work practices required by law or workplace policy, including masking, social distancing, hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, health monitoring, cleaning and disinfection, and any other state-mandated safety topics. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, promoting the benefits and safety of vaccination is also an important training element.

There are many different types of masks available to employees. The CDC has extensive guidance on the kinds of masks that provide the best protection. For instance, the CDC recommends against wearing a mask with an exhalation valve because it allows virus particles to escape and potentially infect other people. State mask requirements are also relevant. While the CDC sanctions the use of 2-layered gaiters, some states do not permit employees to wear gaiters at work. 

Employee mask use will not effectively limit virus spread in the workplace if they do not wear a mask correctly. For optimal protection, an employee’s mask should fully cover the mouth and nose. Mask fit is equally important. An employee who wears a mask with large gaps on the sides of the face puts other people at risk. According to the CDC, a mask should fit snugly under the chin and against the sides of the face so virus particles do not escape. Employees, customers, and clients will feel protected and safe in the work environment when employees consistently wear face masks properly.

Many employees know that social distancing means keeping six feet of distance between themselves and others. However, there are many social distancing nuances that employees may not know about. One common misconception is that a person is equally protected from COVID-19 if they either wear a mask or social distance. This is simply not true. To limit the spread of COVID-19, employees should wear a mask and practice social distancing, particularly if they are not vaccinated. COVID-19 safety training helps dispel these common myths. 

Because the landscape of COVID-19 vaccination varies, the distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees is often blurred. Despite recently updated CDC guidance for vaccinated individuals, many employers continue to require employee mask use even when state or local law does not. Employee training that can be customized to include policies specific to your workplace can help employees clearly understand the safety practices they must follow. Incorporating your workplace policies into employee safety training gives employees clear-cut directions on what is required in your workplace.