Coronavirus: what contingency plans are you putting in place? - Future challenges for the profession - Our Profession

133 Coronavirus: what contingency plans are you putting in place?

Community Manager

28 Feb, 2020 13:37

We've had a discussion thread already touching on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), but things have moved on a bit and we'd like to ask members to use this space to share initiatives and plans around managing the coronavirus threat in your organisation.

Please refer to the CIPD factsheet for current guidance and also the latest information on the GOV.uk website.

The CIPD has been asked to speak on national news channels* about what businesses can be doing to manage issues affecting employees, such as flexible working, A+B teams coming into work, school closures, business travel etc.

*If you are happy to speak to the media, who are looking for real examples of businesses taking action, please let us know as we do sometimes get asked to recommend companies who could be featured. To reassure you, this is a closed thread and no-one can see it except CIPD staff and CIPD members.

We’re well placed to help if you have any questions... and we’re interested to hear what actions you’re taking in your own organisations.

Please share below. Thanks.

UPDATE: 10th March 2020

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Steve Bridger | 0 Posts

Community Manager

4 Mar, 2020 11:20

In reply to Cat Jones:
Thanks for that, Cat Jones!!!
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Teresa | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 13:36

In reply to Steve Bridger:
Hi Steve,

Yes, QR's are brilliant for adding to notice boards - for some reason you can't touch a printed web address and expect to go there..... ;)
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Steve Bridger | 0 Posts

Community Manager

4 Mar, 2020 13:44

In reply to Teresa:
Not yet. That's 'the future'.
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Julia | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 14:32

I'd be keen to hear from those whose businesses have regular visitors to site and what are company's doing in terms of protocol on visitors particularly if from overseas?
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Sharon Lesley | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 14:45

In reply to Teresa:
Thanks Teresa that is kind of you.

Sharon
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Gemma | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 15:19

In reply to Julia:
Hi Julia,

We have a questionnaire which we are sending out to visitors before they come on site which basically asks if they've been to any of the most impacted areas or if they've received visitors/been in contact with anyone who has in the last 14 days. If they say yes then we are postponing their visit or asking for someone else to be sent (i.e if it was a training company).

For those unexpected visitors (i.e recruitment agencies who like to turn up out of the blue), we've put a politely worded notice up at the doors to each building asking them to refer to the questions on the questionnaire before requesting entry to the site. If they answer yes to them, then the notice asks them to not request entry and that if they need to contact us they can do so by telephone in order to ensure the health, safety and well being of our employees.
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Rebecca | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 17:57

We are fortunate that we can all function remotely if we really have to. I think the government travel advice and also NHS information has been good and I'm keeping those sites open for frequent checks.
I have got one new issue out of this though. A member of staff has gone on holiday to an affected area and informally told others before she left that she would be self isolating on her return, but not discussed with her manager or HR. So presumably intending to spring that on us on her return. Remote working is doable and self isolating is following safety advice but the approach leaves a lot to be desired.
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Denise | 0 Posts

4 Mar, 2020 19:05

In reply to Julia:

Hi Julia,

We have been asking all staff including visitors to sanitise hands and bags at entry points. Today, we have decided to cancel all our on site events involving visitors from abroad, this will be now be done remotely instead and we have also been encouraging all our staff to have video conference instead of inviting suppliers to our site.
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Steve Bridger | 0 Posts

Community Manager

4 Mar, 2020 20:47

In reply to Denise :

Maybe a lot of businesses will decide video conferencing is better for all of us (and the planet), long term?
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Eleanor | 0 Posts

5 Mar, 2020 10:23

In reply to Steve Bridger:
I wondered about this, too! It might really force the issue of genuinely agile/remote/flexible working as well as encourage our ability to use tech to support this.
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Denise | 0 Posts

5 Mar, 2020 10:47

In reply to Steve Bridger:
Hi Steve, I strongly believe that is the way forward but of course virtual meetings has its limitations and a number of roles are not practical for remote working unfortunately.
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Steve Bridger | 0 Posts

Community Manager

5 Mar, 2020 10:51

In reply to Denise :
Indeed.

Welcome to the Community, by the way :)
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Clare | 0 Posts

5 Mar, 2020 11:16

We're a Japanese business with a number of management having just returned from Japan this week. We've now asked all staff to self-isolate following their return from any of the listed countries; mostly to avoid panic rather than as a method of preventing the spread of the illness. I'm finding the Japanese business community to be particularly prone to extreme measures at the moment and as service providers to many of them we are having to take more extensive measures than expected just to keep them happy. No doubt this is the case for many Asian businesses globally. Its a little disheartening to feed into the panic but better safe than sorry, I guess!

I also hope it encourages more flexible working opportunities but we are in the situation where that's only possible for a limited number of staff.
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Amy | 0 Posts

5 Mar, 2020 15:39

In reply to Louise:
Yes I do, I have put a 4 stage plan together if you send me your email address I can send across some information.
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Steve Bridger | 0 Posts

Community Manager

6 Mar, 2020 11:56

Continuously updated CIPD resources and guidance here:
www.cipd.co.uk/.../coronavirus
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