Retail Workers Face New Challenges While Working Due to COVID-19
Workers in high traffic businesses such as retail stores require a new level of training to suit the environment brought on by the coronavirus.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Oct 09, 2020
A surge of new employees have been hired since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving a steeper learning curve for them and vulnerabilities in worker safety practices, according to Forbes.
At least one new employee has been hired by 60% of companies since the onset of the pandemic in March, according to a study by The Manifest. Vacancies left by employees who were let go because of the pandemic and chose not to come by because of their unemployment benefits have been filled by new employees who have to both learn how to perform at a new job and learn safety measures to protect themselves from COVID-19.
For employees that work in retail stores, training in how to safely interact with customers during this time is necessary. Making online shopping and ordering through apps available are ways employers can reduce traffic in stores to limit contact with employees.
Accepting credit cards and other contactless transaction methods is another method of keeping employees safe, as well as the incorporation of point of sale (POS) systems.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.