Cities Should Consider Healthy-at-Work Guidelines for Employees

On May 15, 2020, the governor issued Executive Order 2020-396 addressing guidelines for government agencies reopening operations. While the order lists certain requirements for state agencies, “[a]ll local, county, and city government offices and agencies are encouraged to adopt or incorporate the specific Requirements for Government Offices and Agencies and the minimum requirements for all entities in the Commonwealth.” The wording of the order allows local control and decision making when tailoring policies that meets each city’s needs and resource allotment.

Although not required, the Kentucky Healthy at Work Guidelines are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and health department recommendations. This provides a great starting point for tailoring a policy for your city. KLC has crafted a sample policy addressing employee issues based on the Healthy at Work Guidelines for cities to consider. This sample does not address concerns for reopening to the general public; those issues should be addressed separately. We recommend working with the department heads in your city to gain feedback on potential concerns for compliance or other city-specific processes you need to consider. As always, the city will want to seek advice from the city attorney prior to adopting any policy.

KLC has also created a PDF compilation with several relevant guides from the CDC that the city may find useful. Cities desiring a starting point can contact KLC for various resources, including a planning checklist to get the city started in discussing the new policy.

If you have any questions, please contact Personnel Services Manager Andrea Shindlebower Main.