Businesses need to stop shortening hours
I keep reading news stories about businesses shortening hours to "fight the coronavirus". I have seen NO recommendations from any health experts that this is wise. And when you think of how it impacts behaviors, everything is made worse.
Firstly, contracting hours means trying to get at least the same amount done in less time. That means more employees and customers in the shops at once. First red flag. The easiest way to reduce the spread is to reduce the number of employees and customers at any given time. This actually suggests that the opposite makes more sense. Longer hours, with strict enforcement of a max number of patrons in the building.
Secondly, contracting hours heightens fear of availability. Such measures could trigger another wave of panicked shoppers. Which again, will increase the number of people in the buildings at any given time.
If you're going to adjust your business practices to cope, then you should be implementing longer hours so you can reduce the number of employees in the store at a given time.
In tandem with that, steps should be taken to limit to number of guests in the shops at any given moment. This makes sense both in light of the virus and in light of the reduction in staff.
Thirdly, measures should be taken to expedite the shopping experience and to reduce panic. Things like placing limits on the number of items purchased. Limiting stock to the most common items or necessities and so forth.
Fourthly, shops should have plans in place to cope with sick people coming into shops. Longer hours will make things like temporary closures to clean and sanitize more palatable to the public. If you're open during these times, you either offer an integral service, or you need the money. In either case you need to be seen as looking out for your customers best interest.
Expanded hours, but with additional processes in place to protect both staff and customers is likely the best way to approach this.
Shortening hours? To what end? It isn't like working a 6 hour shift vs. an 8 hour one but dealing with the same influx of customers will improve your employees chance of avoiding infection.
I get that customers and employees are both a little concerned. But, if you're going to change something without actually consulting someone with expertise... then that change should be to shut down. Alterations to operations should be made in a careful and informed fashion.
Amuingly... after writing all of the above I ran across the following article. Discussing advice. From an actual expert. Notice the last line:
The "extended hours" is amusingly, exactly what I'm suggesting.
Firstly, contracting hours means trying to get at least the same amount done in less time. That means more employees and customers in the shops at once. First red flag. The easiest way to reduce the spread is to reduce the number of employees and customers at any given time. This actually suggests that the opposite makes more sense. Longer hours, with strict enforcement of a max number of patrons in the building.
Secondly, contracting hours heightens fear of availability. Such measures could trigger another wave of panicked shoppers. Which again, will increase the number of people in the buildings at any given time.
If you're going to adjust your business practices to cope, then you should be implementing longer hours so you can reduce the number of employees in the store at a given time.
In tandem with that, steps should be taken to limit to number of guests in the shops at any given moment. This makes sense both in light of the virus and in light of the reduction in staff.
Thirdly, measures should be taken to expedite the shopping experience and to reduce panic. Things like placing limits on the number of items purchased. Limiting stock to the most common items or necessities and so forth.
Fourthly, shops should have plans in place to cope with sick people coming into shops. Longer hours will make things like temporary closures to clean and sanitize more palatable to the public. If you're open during these times, you either offer an integral service, or you need the money. In either case you need to be seen as looking out for your customers best interest.
Expanded hours, but with additional processes in place to protect both staff and customers is likely the best way to approach this.
Shortening hours? To what end? It isn't like working a 6 hour shift vs. an 8 hour one but dealing with the same influx of customers will improve your employees chance of avoiding infection.
I get that customers and employees are both a little concerned. But, if you're going to change something without actually consulting someone with expertise... then that change should be to shut down. Alterations to operations should be made in a careful and informed fashion.
Amuingly... after writing all of the above I ran across the following article. Discussing advice. From an actual expert. Notice the last line:
Milton recommends either closing stores entirely or maintaining regular or extended hours.
The "extended hours" is amusingly, exactly what I'm suggesting.
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