There is no higher priority than the health and safety of our team and our clients. With the spread of the coronavirus, we are doing what we can to respond to the evolving situation. We are closely monitoring the most recent recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the announcements of local officials. We continuously adapt our practices and procedures based on this information.
We stand committed to an effective response. We will do everything we can to protect the health and well being of our team members and our clients. We take this situation very seriously. While the environment is changing every day, at present, we are focused on:
On the Job Site
We are taking many extra safety measures on the job site. For details, please visit our post of Job Site Protective Measures.
In Person Client Interaction
We have instituted extra precautions for clients who prefer to meet in our studios:
- The common areas, design studios and conference rooms in our offices are being disinfected between all meetings
- Latex gloves are available for the handling of materials and samples
- We are working with vendors to send sample materials directly to client’s homes, removing the need for public showroom visits
We have also instituted precautions if a visit to a client’s home is required
- Before entering the home, either latex gloves are to worn or hand sanitizer is to be applied in front of the homeowner
- Protective shoe covers/ booties are to be worn in the home
Virtual Client Interaction / Meetings
Our client base is constantly on the move. As a result, we are using our knowledge, tools and experience to work with clients remotely. Examples include:
- Video conferencing technologies for client meetings
- Video technologies for initial consultations and preliminary material selections
- Screen sharing and remote meeting capabilities for reviewing project drawings and documents
- We also work with local showrooms using their video abilities to assist in material selections
Work Environment
Most office employees in all locations have moved to a remote work environment. Team members have been assigned specific days when they have access to the office if they need to pick something up. This is to limit any possible risk of exposure or spread.
Education
We are closely monitoring the best practices outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and regularly share this information with the entire team. We are committed and resolved to implement new procedures as information becomes available.
Personal Hygiene
We have communicated to our staff that the CDC promotes healthy personal habits as the most effective way to decrease the spread of viral disease. This includes staying home when sick (especially with a fever and/or respiratory illness) coughing and/ or sneezing into an elbow or using a tissue to cover ones nose and mouth and then immediately discarding the tissue, thorough washing of hands which includes scrubbing frequently with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds (if no water is available, use a disinfectant/ sanitizer) and avoiding the touching of ones eyes, nose, and mouth. Contact with others is also to be avoided. Please do not be offended if we do not shake your hand.
Cleaning supplies, anti-bacterial hand soap, and hand sanitizer have been made available to all offices and job sites. Further, we have supplied a mask and gloves to all Case employees.
Personal Health
All Case personnel leaving their home to conduct business are to monitor their temperature.
- The temperature reading is to be emailed to the office before 9am every day.
- If the temperature is 100 degrees or higher the team member is not permitted to work.
Sick Leave
We have extended additional days of leave to all hourly employees to encourage them to stay home if they are not feeling well.
Quarantine
Any team members that have traveled on an airplane (domestically or internationally) have been directed to quarantine themselves at home for a period of 14 days. No one you will come in contact with at Case has been on an airplane or in an airport for the last 14 days. In addition, any Case employee that has had any danger of even incidental exposure has been directed to quarantine for 14 days.
Empowerment
If a Case employee is meeting with or near someone that they feel is sick, they are empowered to constructively leave the meeting to protect their health. This practice is to be followed in all circumstances whether with a client, co-worker, supplier, alliance, etc.
Minimizing Exposure
In all 4 of our offices/ studios (Bethesda, Falls Church, DC, Warehouse) we are disinfecting common areas (i.e. entry doorknobs, meeting rooms, coffee machine areas, etc.) on a daily basis.. All of our Design Studios are also being regularly disinfected between meetings.
Customized Solutions
Every home and every renovation project is unique. We understand this is more than a construction site, it’s your home. Our team is prepared to address any concerns or implement additional precautions to keep our clients safe.
Our Clients
We will do what we can to protect your health. We expect the same in return. If you have had any exposure or illnesses, please let us know so that we can adjust accordingly.
Events
We have cancelled our April seminars. To learn the status of future seminars, please visit our website.
We are remodelers, not Epidemiologists. We are not sure what tomorrow brings. There will be changes and adjustments to our plan, and plenty of uncertainty lies ahead. But, we are certain that the health of our team and our clients is our highest priority. From that, we will not waiver.
Be safe. Stay healthy.
