Login on site

×
Login on site
logo
Capital Services
logo
  • Services
    • HR Consulting
    • Employee Benefits
    • Business Planning
    • Individual Coverage
    • Personal Planning
    • Wellness Planning
    • Compliance
    • Millennial Workforce Solutions
    • Recruiting
  • Who We Serve
    • Individuals
    • Employers
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Human Capital
  • Culture
  • Approach
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Quick Links
    • CSI Client Portal
    • Employee Benefits Portal
    • Individual Coverages
    • Carrier/TPA
  • Schedule a Call
September 7, 2021 by Capital Services in Business

What the Coronavirus Delta Variant Means for Return-to-Work Mask Policies

With a growing percentage of the U.S. population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and employers have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now announced updates to its mask guidelines.

According to health experts, while vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of Delta, masks can continue to play a key role in preventing the spread of coronavirus and its variants, even for fully vaccinated individuals.

Updated CDC Guidance on Mask-wearing

The CDC’s updated guidance now recommends that fully vaccinated individuals wear masks in public indoor settings when in areas with high or substantial transmission of COVID-19. At the time of this writing, this includes over 75% of U.S. counties. This update from the CDC is, in part, a reversal from previous agency guidance, which allowed fully vaccinated individuals to stop wearing a mask in most settings.

The guidelines also advise that masks should be worn by all individuals in K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status. The agency continues to recommend that unvaccinated individuals wear a mask indoors and potentially in some crowded outdoor settings.

Employer Takeaway

Aside from CDC guidance, many variables may influence how an employer responds—such as local masks guidelines and mandates, community levels of transmission or vaccination, employee attitudes or even the nature of the business.

Employers should note that these guidelines from the CDC are recommendations and are not legally binding. Even if mask-wearing is not a requirement for an organization, employers must consider any revisions to mask policies that may help ease employee concerns and keep their workforce safe.

COVID-19 and Open Enrollment 2021

The pandemic continues to impact today’s workplaces and employees’ needs. Even as its effects begin to taper, many employees may be more likely to consider a career move. With open enrollment season right around the corner, now is the time for HR professionals to be on top of their open enrollment planning and communications to retain and attract employees.

What’s Happening?

As employees juggled their personal responsibilities in front of their managers and colleagues, many employers adjusted benefits plans to accommodate this new pandemic reality. The most common benefits changes during the pandemic, driven by employee desires, include the following:

  • Increased access to mental health benefits
  • Flexibility for child care and elder care
  • Changes in vacation and paid-time-off policies

Are You Ready?

An effective process begins with reviewing benefits packages to ensure they include competitive offerings employees want and expect as a result of the pandemic. Then, a comprehensive communication strategy can help employees understand their options and encourage participation. Sharing information over an extended time period via multiple channels gives employees more opportunities to review all of their available options and make the best decisions for themselves and their families in the coming year. It may also help to give employees a preview of benefits changes.

Even if open enrollment is still months away, it’s critical to plan ahead and start engaging employees with open enrollment materials so they know about new or expanded offerings. This year, more than ever, benefits will play a crucial role in recruiting and retaining top talent. Contact Capital Services, Inc. today for more open enrollment resources.

0
Recommend
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIN
  • Pinterest
Share
Tagged in

Categories

  • Business
  • Design
  • Employee Benefits
  • HR Consulting
  • Real life
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • August 2024
  • April 2024
  • February 2024
  • December 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • October 2019
  • June 2019
  • July 2016

We believe that passion for people builds innovative workplaces that have higher levels of performance, more engagement and satisfaction, and overall cost reduction in long term health-related expenditures.

Capital Services Incorporated BBB Business Review

Quick Links

  • CSI Client Portal
  • Employee Benefits Portal
  • Individual Coverages
  • Carrier/TPA

Contact Us

Corporate Headquarters

215 Washington Avenue
Suite 400
Towson MD 21204

443-608-5520

marketing@capital-services.com

© 2021 Capital Services. All rights reserved.
Terms and Conditions

logo

Please provide your name and email address and we will send you these resources right away.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

 

Username:
Password:

Client Portal Login


Username:
Password:
Retrieve your login information

Username:
Password:

Get your Guide to Creating a Hiring Process that Works now

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Client Portal Login


Username:
Password:
Retrieve your login information