Ellis Law Provides Essential Services to Clients While Adopting COVID-19 Workplace Safety Measures
On March 19, 2020, at around 5 PM, the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, enacted a stay-at-home order throughout Los Angeles County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order is an effort to prevent Angelinos from contracting the coronavirus and to not overwhelm our health care infrastructure. Later that evening, the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, went on to enact a statewide stay-at-home measure.
The statewide order has deemed law offices as essential businesses because they provide essential services to their clients. In Ellis Law’s case, they facilitate medical treatment for their clients. Although most of the workforce is limited to staying at home, there are still many people that continue to be exposed to routine dangers such as motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, or dog bites. In essence, Ellis Law is to remain open to help those in need of assistance.
However, Ellis Law’s staff had expressed concerns for the health of their loved ones if they continued to work. Additionally, Ellis Law has over 30 employees sharing space in the building. The managing partner, Andrew Ellis, had no choice but to hold a meeting the day after the enactment of the stay-at-home order.
Mr. Ellis reassured his staff that although he had every intention of remaining in operation, he would make the necessary adjustments in order to keep everyone safe. He started by making the proper accommodations for any staff member with underlying medical conditions because it’s important that they stay home and stay safe. He made sure that everyone remained 6 feet apart from each other in the office and refrained from being in groups larger than 2 people. Also, he made sure that only Ellis Law staff were present in the office.
Later, in April 2020, Los Angeles County enacted an order where citizens and residents were required to wear face masks. Ellis Law has ensured that all employees wear face masks in order to comply with this order and maximize staff safety.
COVID-19 has significantly altered the office life at Ellis Law; however, this obstacle has not prevented any of the firm’s employees from tending to their clients’ needs. Mr. Ellis is grateful to all his employees who are taking risks by going to work during these hard times and for their unwavering determination to assist Ellis Law’s clients. Ellis Law’s wish is for everyone to stay safe and COVID-19 free.
