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March 6, 2020: New Guidelines

37 Comments

Among the more interesting directives from HQ, the memo we were provided yesterday informed us we are no longer allowed to engage in any form of physical contact in the office. Kay.

37 thoughts on “March 6, 2020: New Guidelines”

  1. My boss IM'd me yesterday to inform me of the company's new out-of-country travel guidelines, which all made sense to me, but then she got a chuckle when pointing out that it's recommended an employee work from home initially after returning from certain countries. Shoot, I work from home after returning from the bathroom.

  4. HJ, is this your COVID policy, or just employee interaction generally? I suppose...either way...
    Not a lot of physical contact here anyway. I did have a company commander way back when who was a hugger. He did it semi-ironically, but I kinda miss that. I suppose it's different if you're in the Army...and wearing body armor...

      1. haha.

        here's the official language:

        8. Personal Hygiene and Physical Contact: Employees must abide by the personal hygiene recommendations attached (Attachment D – Hygiene Notification). Employees must refrain from shaking hands or engaging in any physical contact with each other while in any [Company] Office or while conducting business outside any [Company] Office.

        2. Woah, hand shaking. Not messing around.
          Again, this is a COVID-specific policy?

  5. I have a friend who is in sales. He has a convention in Las Vegas coming up and they will be wearing buttons that say something to the effect of " Excuse us if we do not shake your hands - Corona Virus protocol"

      1. I'd be good with a healthy lean-in, shoulder-bump. That may be getting too close.

  6. I'm headed to Michigan today for a conference. Yesterday the organizers sent a message with various recommendations related to handwashing, hand sanitizer, etc.

    Regarding physical contact: "Avoid shaking hands. Elbow bumping is endorsed by Judy Bloom, and there are many other alternatives to shaking hands, including a simple nod with your hand over your heart. We look forward to the many friendly ways you find to greet each other without touching!"

    I work in an industry where hugging isn't out of the ordinary for people who know one another, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm tempted to just bow to everyone Japanese style, but I'm a little worried I'll also then start greeting people in Japanese...

        1. And make sure you do the lady bow instead of the guy bow, because, you know, they must be different if they had to show both...

      1. I could go with the subtle salute, too. I still render those often enough. Usually when I'm trying to be halfway discrete or not display too much emotion/enthusiasm. Like a dad/dude-nod. Acknowledging the person but not being so presumptive as to imply that they should be happy to see me as well.
        I may be overthinking these things.

      2. I think I'd do the "fist to the heart, mild bow" version.

        This looks a little too Reich-y for me.

    3. My wife had a doctor in the hospital who, due to religious beliefs, wasn't permitted to touch women. He would due the palms touching with a slight bow Namaste greeting. I've started to do that as well.

        2. I knew that sounded weird. This was an infectious disease doctor. He was doing his rounds. I have a feeling he didn't actually do a lot of interacting with patients. More looking at scans and data and then making recommended plans to fight the infection.

  9. Today's book news:

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