Your Employee Tested Positive for Covid-19. What Do You Do?

Executive Summary It is likely that managers will have an employee tell you they have tested positive for Covid-19. Not only does the moment call for sensitivity and humanity, but it also requires you to act quickly as a manager. First, express sympathy. Ask the employee which other employees they have been in close contact with.

If your employee has tested positive for Covid-19, it is important that you have steps in place in order to quickly address the situation and prevent further transmission of the virus. First, express sympathy for your employee, and offer support in any way the employee might need it. Next, connect with your HR partner, or whoever handles the protocols for these type of situations. Someone from your team will need to ask the infected employee which other employees they have been in close contact with within the prior two weeks, if any. Then, someone from the HR team must contact those people in a timely manner and inform them of their contact and possible infection, and offer support. Understand that this situation is difficult for everyone involved, and stay connected and supportive throughout the entire process.