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10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace

Well, it’s finally time to put your sweats away, see if your pants still fit, and start commuting back into the office. While many employers are just starting to welcome employees back, Cushing has had staff safely on-site throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some precautions we’ve taken in the last year, and continue to implement, to keep our workplace safe for the team and visitors.

1. Masking and social distancing

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 1 Mask Signage Front Desk
All staff and visitors are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing while on-site. Meetings in the conference room are limited to 5 people.

2. Staggered Shift

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 2 Sneeze Shield Jorge
While some were able to work remotely, we needed to make sure staff was still on-site (these machines can’t run themselves!) With fewer employees reporting to the office, we still wanted to limit everyone’s interactions, so we implemented staggered shifts to help keep everyone at a safe distance. This included some coming in and leaving earlier or others switching off (with those sitting nearby) between working remotely and reporting to the office. This allowed us to limit the number of people in our workspace and promote social distancing.

3. Acrylic shields

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 3 Acrylic Shields Conference Room
Where we couldn’t physically distance ourselves, we installed acrylic shields for an extra layer of protection. Pro Tip! If you’re considering acrylic shields for your workplace, we recommend sanding down the edges of each acrylic panel (they can be extremely sharp). We’d also recommend adding a little color to each panel so they’re more visible.

4. Antimicrobial Tape

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 4 Tape and Mask Sign


For a while, antimicrobial tape was all the rage! We put it on every door handle we could think of in our space. As we learned more about how COVID-19 is spread, it turns out this isn’t the best way to stop the spread, but we like to think we prevented some colds along the way.

5. Floor Graphics

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 5 One way Traffic Floor Decal
One way flow of traffic and 6ft long floor graphics were placed around the office to promote social distancing and reiterate what 6ft really looks like. Did it work? Sort of! We found that after a while, people kept “forgetting” about the one-way flow of traffic, but everyone is respectful of social distancing practices. Pro tip! You should always make sure floor graphics include a laminate that “grips,” so nobody trips. When in doubt, consult the Cushing team!

6. Temperature Checks

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 6 Entrance Signage
Only one entrance is open to employees and guests, leading to our Customer Service department. There, one of our reps will perform a temperature check. Anyone employee found to have a fever would be sent home or a guest would be asked to wait in the hallway until their order was ready.

7. Accessible wipes, face masks and hand sanitizer

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 7 Hand wash Signage
Sanitary stations are placed all around the office – I don’t think you can turn around without seeing hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes nearby! Disposable masks are available at the front desk for all staff and guests who need.

8. Signage

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 8 Reminder Signage 1
Lucky for us, we’re in the signage biz! Reminders about masks, social distancing, and washing your hands are visible throughout our space – can’t miss them!

9. Travel Policy
In compliance with Chicago’s Emergency Travel Order, Cushing developed a policy to accommodate employees returning from travel to high risk areas. All unvaccinated individuals traveling to a high-risk area are asked to quarantine for ten days and be tested for COVID-19 before returning to work.

10. Vaccine Incentive

10 Measures Cushing Uses to Combat COVID-19 in the Workplace 9 Incentive Screenshot Blurred Arrows Web
To encourage our employees to go out and get vaccinated, Cushing has implemented a vaccine incentive program, rewarding employees with a gift card of their choice upon proof of full vaccination. This was a huge win for our team!

Thanks for taking the time to read! What is your team doing to stay safe and healthy in the workplace? We’d love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!

Catie Duffy

Catie Duffy leads Cushing’s Human Resources and Marketing efforts. From writing blogs to developing new website content, there is no project she can’t tackle!

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