Early in 2020, GHA turned its attention to return to work strategies for government agencies through global safety, health, and well-being standards and a partnership with Global Healthcare Resources, The GHA and Global Healthcare Resources partnership assists Federal Agencies to create safe, health-centric workplaces and prioritize well-being for employees, visitors, and travelers to meet the need of the current crisis and beyond. Importantly, the program builds the foundation for more sustainable agency safety practices to mitigate a comprehensive array of risks to safety and well-being in the Agency workplace and in the community at large.
As recent unprecedented times have changed the workplace landscape, it is essential that Agencies prioritize the safety, health and wellbeing of their employees while still meeting the demand and needs of their clients and customers. Agencies are seeking guidance on how best to navigate and meet this demand - and employees need reassurance that their Agency has the expertise, plans, and resources necessary to do so.
Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA) For Federal Agencies sets the standard for Federal Agencies that are ready to build employees’ confidence and trust as they navigate the ongoing challenges resulting from COVID-19.
GHA For Federal Agencies ensures all Federal Agencies have implemented policies and procedures that prioritize and support a safe, healthy, and sustainable return to the physical workplace. The program supports compliance with the General Services Administration’s GSA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan published in February 2021 by the U.S. government. The elements of the GHA For Federal Agencies framework, training, and accreditation are based on the most up-to-date research available and are designed to build upon and enhance Federal Agencies regulations and guidelines. GHA For Federal Agencies is specifically designed to provide a framework for risk reduction and to build resiliency to meet future challenges.
These are important factors in bringing employees back to work, reducing vaccine hesitancy, retention, lower stress in the workplace, increase behavioral health, and building employee, and visitor trust and confidence. Thus, GHA For Federal Agencies validates a Federal Agency’s commitment to safety, health, and well-being, building trust on the part of their employees, and visitors.
The unique accreditation standards of GHA For Federal Agencies are organized around a framework of key Federal Agencies practices intended to reduce risk, including the following sixteen Elements across three main categories:
Agencies committed to safeguarding employee safety, health, and well-being must be fully prepared to prevent and respond to COVID-19 and other infectious disease risks in the workplace. In addition to GHA For Federal Agencies standards, GHA has developed a straightforward COVID-19 Return to Work Checklist to guide Federal Agencies on the implementation of necessary measures outlined in the GHA For Federal Agencies Handbook to ensure optimal safety, health, and well-being in the workplace environment.
Many of the risk points identified in the COVID-19 Return to Work Checklist and other GHA framework tools align directly with critical components of the General Services Administration’s GSA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan. The Checklist addresses detailed guidance in these areas, which is backed by authoritative resources from published research, agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other expert opinion.
