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Coronavirus: what contingency plans are you putting in place?

Steve Bridger

| 0 Posts

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

16930 views
  • Claire

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 14:04

    In reply to Claire :

    At the risk of answering my own question and shutting down conversation before it's started, it has been pointed out that if all schools and creches are closed, then we couldn't start one even if we wanted to!
  • Claire

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 16:36

    In reply to Miranda King:

    Yes, me too - we are in the same situation as well. We are manufacturing company therefore the majority of our workforce can't work from home.

    We have put in necessary steps to encourage hygiene, additional cleaning, reviewing who can work from home in order to reduce the risk of spreading. We have put out questionnaires / consent forms to find out who has underlying health concerns, and / or have family members they care for or live with so that we can look to review alternatives for them not being in the office. Flexible working / staggering the shifts and rotating office staff who can't work from home.

    however, it is difficult to make much changes to the workshop employees. Does anyone have any other options that would assist?
  • Carla

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 17:09

    In reply to Claire:

    My company manufacturers infant ventilators so we’re working hard to meet increased demand whilst trying to minimise the risk as far as possible.

    We have the space to separate the manufacturing/production staff into 2 groups working apart in different buildings. Other staff unable to work from home are being moved to a space further away from colleagues, especially from those who travel on public transport.
  • Rebecca

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 17:14

    In reply to Carla:

    Bravo to you guys, I wish you well with keeping the virus out whilst you do something so important.
  • Claire

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 17:20

    In reply to Claire:

    Thanks Claire, interesting re the questionnaire, I've shared that with our crisis team.
  • Clare

    | 0 Posts

    16 Mar, 2020 19:22

    Hi All,


    I was after some advice on a couple of scenarios please...

    My company are looking at only paying statutory sick pay if it is related to the coronavirus meaning that those that have enhanced 'contractual sick pay' won't get this. I did not think that they could do that and that the contractual pay stands regardless.

    Also, we only have one person out of 50 people who works from home one day per week and they have asked to change this to working full time from home on the basis that they have a partner who has underlying medical conditions who has been told to isolate for the foreseeable future. What should we do in this instance as we are worried about those who cannot work from home due to the nature of the role feeling that they are being treated unfairly and how to manage this person as it could mean that they are not physically in the business for 3 months?

    Thank you

    Clare
  • Rebecca

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 09:11

    In reply to Clare:

    Even if you were allowed to distinguish between one type of sick pay and another how would you prove it? With my daughter's raging fever last week I went through the 111 assessment and they didn't recommend a test. She's had all the corona symptoms but not a cough. I'm reading about people with almost no symptoms testing positive. So...your can't prove who is off sick with what regardless of the contractual position. On the second question, do you have work for this person and who would supervise? These are weird times and I'd be inclined to flex to support if its practical.
  • Nicki

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 09:17

    In reply to Clare:

    Hi Clare

    We are a manufacturing company and we have suspended company sick pay. I am not saying I agree with the course of action but there are business reasons to support this move. Ours is discretionary and we have held communication groups with all staff to explain the decision. Bascially we would not be able to sustain the business if we had to pay sick pay and agency workers/overtime especially if we see a drop in orders or our supply chain has problems. Most people have been understanding of the decision and we have agreed to monitor it and we will reinstate as soon as possible.

    With regards the e'ee who wishes to work from home, we have an employee who has underlying health issues however their role does not allow them to work from home so we have isolated them within the building to limit their interaction with others and we have offered flexible working hours. We have provided the usual sanitisation equipment etc and again will continue to monitor the situation. Could that work for your e'ee? Unfortunately it is not always about whats fair. If you do agree to them being out, could you not arrange regular online meetings etc?
  • Ruth

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 13:15

    It's great to see so many people pulling together and helping out here.
    I have one quick question and wondered how people are handling the questions 'will we be told who is having to self-isolate or self-quarantine?'. My concern here is a potential confidentiality breach for the person who is self-isolating but at the same time do others who they have worked with have a right to know? I'm not sure what is the best approach.
    Thanks
  • Rachael

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 13:21

    What is everyone doing to keep employees who have been instructed to WFH engaged? A lot of our workforce actually prefer to come to work for the social side of it. We're having regular catch ups via video call and virtual 'coffee' breaks but I feel as though we could do more.

    Any ideas welcome!
  • Steve Bridger

    | 0 Posts

    Community Manager

    17 Mar, 2020 15:05

    I've opened a new group to pull together all of the Coronavirus-related discussion threads.

    This thread is open to non-members but the new group is for CIPD Members only. This is because many of the posts are of a. more sensitive nature (e.g. about lay-offs).

  • Lorraine

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 15:27

    In reply to Rachael:

    I just had a thought, our Ops manager mentioned something about a create your own quiz which might be a fun, welcome distraction. I think it was called Kahoot.
    Could try that?
  • Gillian Keery

    | 0 Posts

    17 Mar, 2020 16:45

    In reply to Bertilla:

    Hi Bertilla,

    We are using our normal SSP Forms and asking Managers to complete them and if necessary return without employee signatures.
    If you would like a copy please let me know.
    Gillian
  • Nina Waters

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 08:40

    We are lucky enough to have some excellent counsellors on site, and I spoke to them yesterday about sharing some information to help staff (as well as pupils) who are feeling increased anxiety at this time. They have done so this morning, and shared the following link from BACP with some thoughts that might be useful for other organisations too:
    www.bacp.co.uk/.../
    Thanks.
    Nina
  • Vanda

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 09:08

    Hi
    We are already working remotely for many employees. However, I wanted to ask what colleagues are doing if you have to delay new starters date to commence working because of the current situation.
    Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you all
    Vanda