COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy

Policy brief & purpose

This company policy includes the measures we are actively taking to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. You are kindly requested to follow all these rules diligently, to sustain a healthy and safe workplace in this unique environment. It’s important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. We assure you that we will always treat your private health and personal data with high confidentiality and sensitivity.

This coronavirus (COVID-19) company policy is susceptible to changes with the introduction of additional governmental guidelines. If so, we will update you as soon as possible by email.

Scope

This coronavirus policy applies to all of our employees who physically work in our office(s). We strongly recommend to our remote working personnel to read through this action plan as well, to ensure we collectively and uniformly respond to this challenge.

Policy elements

Here, we outline the required actions employees should take to protect themselves and their co-workers from a potential coronavirus infection.

Sick leave arrangements:

If you have cold symptoms, such as cough/sneezing/fever, or feel poorly, request sick leave or work from home.

If you have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, you can return to the office only after you’ve fully recovered, with a doctor’s note confirming your recovery.

Work from home

All employees should work from home, there is no requirement to come into the office.

Traveling/commuting measures:

All work trips and events – both domestic and international – will be cancelled/postponed until further notice.

In-person meetings should be done virtually where possible.

General hygiene rules:

Wash your hands after using the toilet, before eating, and if you cough/sneeze into your hands (follow the 20-second hand-washing rule). You can also use the sanitizers you’ll find around the office.

Cough/sneeze into your sleeve, preferably into your elbow. If you use a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize your hands immediately.

Open the windows regularly to ensure open ventilation.

Avoid touching your face, particularly eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands to prevent from getting infected.

If you find yourself coughing/sneezing on a regular basis, avoid close physical contact with your coworkers and take extra precautionary measures (such as requesting sick leave).

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS POLICY 

Clients and Employees

Where a client or an employee fails to follow this policy or the government guidelines; 

They  should be formally asked to follow the policy or the guidelines
Where they continue to refuse they ought to be asked to provide a reason as to why they are not following the policy
If reasonably possible, that reason should be accommodated if feasible
Where it is not possible, that should be explained to the employee and they should be advised that further failure to follow the policy would result in discipline and for employees, further instances of failure to follow the policy or the government guidelines may result in disciplinary action being  taken
Where it is not possible to accommodate the client’s reason for not following the policy, the employee dealing with that client may decline to continue to assist the client in any face to face situations, and may advise the client that further work will only be undertaken by telephone, or electronically