Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, general counsels and members of human resources departments have had to advise business owners on how to mitigate the damage of the pandemic. These professionals have had to do this without public health expertise and without jeopardizing the well-being of employees or their business’ bottom line. That seems a tall order indeed!

1. SAVVY GENERAL COUNSELS
SHOULD CONSIDER KEY PUBLIC
HEALTH IDEAS WHEN ADVISING
ON BUSINESS REOPENINGS
M E R E D I T H A N N S I M M O N S

2. Over the course of the coronavirus
pandemic, general counsels and
members of human resources
departments have had to advise business
owners on how to mitigate the damage of
the pandemic.
S A V V Y G E N E R A L C O U N S E L S S H O U L D C O N S I D E R
K E Y P U B L I C H E A L T H I D E A S W H E N A D V I S I N G O N
B U S I N E S S R E O P E N I N G S

3. As more businesses begin to reopen, general
counsels will also need to be cognizant of
public health concepts as they continue to
offer business, regulatory, and legal guidance.
The pandemic has offered numerous lessons
on the future of business, and the importance
of public health is a critical one for general
counsels to consider.

4. Seeking Outside Expertise
Because the post-pandemic business world
features new technology, heightened health
concerns, and the complex navigation of
specialized contracts, it is important that
general counsels seek outside expertise,
especially from law firms and public health
experts, to ensure the business and its
employees can thrive in the wake of the
pandemic’s widespread impact.
S A V V Y G E N E R A L C O U N S E L S S H O U L D C O N S I D E R
K E Y P U B L I C H E A L T H I D E A S W H E N A D V I S I N G O N
B U S I N E S S R E O P E N I N G S

5. Understanding guidance from a business’s own
regulators can be key to advising on an
effective business reopening. For instance, if
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) suggests regulated businesses resume in-
person work as soon as possible for compliance
reasons, a financial services GC might take an
aggressive approach to returning to the office.
S A V V Y G E N E R A L C O U N S E L S S H O U L D C O N S I D E R
K E Y P U B L I C H E A L T H I D E A S W H E N A D V I S I N G O N
B U S I N E S S R E O P E N I N G S
Checking Regulatory Guidance

6. Taking a vested interest in community
health, meaning not only the health of
employees at work, but what’s happening
with employees in their communities and
what they bring to work, will certainly prove
to be a business-sustaining and ultimately
profitable endeavor.
S A V V Y G E N E R A L C O U N S E L S S H O U L D C O N S I D E R
K E Y P U B L I C H E A L T H I D E A S W H E N A D V I S I N G O N
B U S I N E S S R E O P E N I N G S
Prioritizing Public Health in Business

7. GCs should recognize the role of data and technology in promoting better business
achievements as well as workforce health and safety. Some businesses, for example, will
benefit from the integration of digital monitoring practices that track public health and
workforce metrics, which business owners can document and analyze over time.
A GCs role in managing this type of data is extremely important – balancing different data
privacy laws with the business’s interest in using this data with employee health and safety.
These analyses will grant businesses insight into how they can improve their practices, as
well as improving the wellness of their workforces and their communities.

8. MEREDITH ANN SIMMONS
www.meredithannsimmons.com
S A V V Y G E N E R A L C O U N S E L S S H O U L D C O N S I D E R
K E Y P U B L I C H E A L T H I D E A S W H E N A D V I S I N G O N
B U S I N E S S R E O P E N I N G S