Coronavirus: Colleague Communication
What are you doing to make sure your colleagues feel well-informed about Coronavirus and your policies and procedures in the event of it impacting your business?
Here are a few actions to start with:
Now is the time to check you have all your employee information up to date, in case you need to contact your employees urgently. Have you got the right phone numbers and email addresses? People move house and change mobiles all the time, so work with HR to ask everyone to update their emergency contact details.
Scenario plan for disruption to your business and build a business continuity plan with documented processes and communication plans. What would happen if...an employee gets coronavirus? Or schools close and your colleagues have to look after their children at home?
Review and agree policies like business travel, homeworking, sick pay, and caring for others, so you are ready to state your policies and answer employee questions.
Recommunicate Public Health England notices to employees through your usual communication channels, especially around good hygiene practices and what to do if an employee has symptoms.
Have a process set up for employees who have returned from a Coronavirus hotspot or who are worried they are showing symptoms. Who should they call first? Make sure you communicate this information, so everyone knows – we suggest text message is best. You might also want people to confirm where they are travelling to for their holidays, especially with Easter coming up.
If employees start to work from home, rather than in their usual location, rethink your communication channels and plans. Email, WhatsApp, intranets and conference calls will become your key channels, so start planning how you will use each of these in the most effective way.
It's easy to get caught up in all the stories surrounding this, but it is best to stick to the facts and official sources. Be planned but don’t create panic. Visit the government website here for guidance for employers and businesses on Covid-19.
ACAS is also a very good source of information for employers.
And, of course, the NHS is a good place to go to for advice about symptoms, isolation and best practice personal hygiene, as well as downloadable posters.
If you want to talk to us in person, however, please get in touch today.