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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

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  • Steve Bridger

    | 0 Posts

    Community Manager

    18 Mar, 2020 11:59

    Updated COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses - 18th March 2020

  • Tracy

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 12:16

    In reply to Fionnuala:

    Providing a hygiene pack to all was a really nice touch!
  • Alys Martin

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    18 Mar, 2020 15:20

    In reply to Rachael:

    Hi Rachel,

    We've done a photo challenge on Slack today. All submissions under the heading of 'Your New Working Day'. We've had pictures of pets, fancy breakfasts, people playing with their kids, people working in their dressing gowns... It's gone down an absolute storm and it's been really nice to see everyone's faces too.

    I think we're going to do something similar another day - 'song links for a self-isolation playlist'. All optional but it's really reassuring to see the fun we have in the office still there in spirit.
  • Gemma

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 15:40

    In reply to Alys Martin:

    One of the things that's raising some eyebrows here is the struggle, even as a company to buy the basics, i.e. toilet roll and the concern of what happens when/if we run out and cannot get anymore from our suppliers. I may be overthinking/overreacting, but surely we cannot be open if we cannot provide toilet roll to staff whilst they work. In my head it sounds like a silly thing to be thinking of, but with the way everyone has seemingly been stockpiling toilet roll it's now become a genuine concern. Thoughts?
  • Claire

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 15:51

    In reply to Gemma:

    It's not a daft thing to be thinking of, just difficult to resolve. I've seen a report that drains are now becoming blocked because people are using kitchen roll and other non-dispersible paper products in the absence of toilet paper supplies.

    Let's hope the supermarkets getting together and rationing supplies will bring this particular element of the current crises to a swift conclusion!
  • Lorraine

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 15:52

    How is everyone planning to handle the school closures while remaining operational?
  • Tracy

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 16:08

    In reply to Lorraine:

    We're going down the route of our employees being able to work from home, despite their kids being around, or if they prefer they have the normal options available of time off for dependants or using holiday. We're hoping and are confident that trusting our employees will work well - and expect that customers won't mind based on current circumstances!
  • Gillian Keery

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 16:29

    In reply to Gemma:

    We have asked all staff who can when they pass a supermarket to buy toilet roll, handwash...... did work we got Handwash, Anti-bacterial spray, Zofora, J-clothes and yes 4 toilet roll! Oh and we asked everyone to bring in their own hand-towel.
  • Razia

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    18 Mar, 2020 16:30

    In reply to Lorraine:

    I need some guidance on this well!

    I'm thinking maybe to offer staff 2 or 3 days paid leave per week. Not sure if that would count during Easter holidays...
  • Claire

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 16:34

    If someone tests positive from your workforce do you have any deep clean companies on hand? does anyone have any experiences of this that they can share? Think of the worst case scenario and making sure we are prepared.
  • Jacquie

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 16:35

    In reply to Lorraine:

    we are thinking depending on age of the child, to have them in our office, we have a large room where we can accommodate them, ( at the moment it should only be 1 ) as 1 parent is working for the NHS and another is our Driver needed to help keep stocks on ingredients for making hand sanitizer.
  • Lorraine

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    18 Mar, 2020 16:50

    In reply to Razia:

    Are your staff required to take the bank holidays or are they floating days?
    We have the days floating as we are in Scotland. Our main business issue is our base- they can't work from home and a few have school age children. We are going to try and stagger working hours into shifts so we have minimum cover. We will ask how the employees may want to handle their childcare and try to be as flex as possible but we need to remain operational and that call is with our clients, whether they go ahead with mobilisations.
    We will have further discussions tomorrow once we know more.
  • Razia

    | 0 Posts

    18 Mar, 2020 17:23

    In reply to Lorraine:

    we have two shift patterns - 7 days fortnight and Monday to Friday.
    the shift pattern workers cannot work as our sport has been suspended. we might ask them to come in but on reduced hours.

    at this moment, we are offering full pay.
  • Jules

    | 0 Posts

    19 Mar, 2020 11:42

    In reply to Razia:

    My employer wants to change people on less than 2 year employment to zero hour contracts and have asked me if people will be worse off! of course they will.
  • Rebecca

    | 0 Posts

    19 Mar, 2020 11:55

    In reply to Steve Bridger:

    We have staff off with corona type symptoms but unless we have much greater coverage of testing then this assistance won't count for much will it...."employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP (according to the new eligibility criteria) as a result of COVID-19"