minimise disruption from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a type of virus. Typical symptoms include fever and a cough that may progress to severe pneumonia, causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Please rest assured that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the virus.

At this stage, we do not know how the virus spreads from person to person. There are steps you can take to help avoid catching (and spreading) germs: 

• stay at home if you are unwell
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately
• wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean 
• please contact your manager if you are unwell
   

If you feel unwell and/or have concerns that you have the virus based on your recent travel, or due to the fact that you have come into contact with someone who has travelled to a high-risk area, we advise you to not come into the office. Please immediately connect with your manager and HR department to discuss your symptoms. They may also ask you to complete a Health declaration form. Next to this, follow the advice from the local health authorities, call the local non-emergency health line rather than going to your local doctor and try to avoid spreading the virus further.

Like most companies, Randstad maintains a Business Continuity team focused on maintaining all aspects of our business functions related to the COVID-19 virus and its impact. In the current business environment, we have established protocols following recommendations from health authorities, national, regional and local task forces, and other advisory groups to ensure we can continue to run our business and support our clients and workers in the safest and most effective manner possible for all stakeholders.

As any emergent situation would require, Randstad will very closely follow the guiding rules client organizations have in place for their own employees and will advise our employees on client sites to adhere to these same policies and procedures, with applicable monitoring and guidance. 

In all countries, we are also in the process of expediting conversations via federations and unions to understand how we can safeguard the financial well-being of our contingent workforce and what government measures might be available to assist them during this time. Further communication on this topic will be made available to you in due course.

Social distancing is an effective measure, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations and the aim is to generally reduce potential for transmission.

While practising social distancing, people can travel to work (including public transport). For non-essential activities outside the workplace or attendance at schools, universities and childcare - social distancing includes:

• avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
• avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations
• attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.
• avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
• avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.

We believe our governments and health agencies are best positioned to determine appropriate measures, such as the Ministry of Health NZ and other prominent health organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO.) Our global and local task forces are adhering to their guidelines on mitigation and prevention.

If a family member is unwell with COVID-19 and you have been in close contact you MUST self isolate yourself and not come to work. All permanent employees will be able to access standard leave provisions. If still unsure what you should do, please call the local non-emergency health line for further advice.

Our local and regional steering committees have developed an extensive business continuity plan. To find out more please reach out to your Randstad Account Manager or consultant who can share aspects of this plan and advise companies on best practice procedures to minimise risks and business continuity. In addition, Randstad has developed a work from home procedure with clear tips and guidance to keep business running as usual.

In the event that one of the operational areas Randstad supports onsite at one of your locations is impacted by the COVID-19, we would suggest setting up weekly or bi-weekly communication updates (increasing frequency, as necessary) to immediately respond at the local level and ensure ongoing agility on a more macro level.

Randstad’s number-one priority is a safe and healthy work environment for all. Our task force is dedicated to managing all concerns and issues arising from this matter. Randstad will proactively communicate updates as information is made available or decisions are made.

We are focused on communicating the prevention and mitigation steps recommended by organizations like the WHO and other prominent health agencies to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as working with our clients to address known issues and respond to the needs of the business to ensure a safe, healthy and productive workforce. Randstad’s existing Business Continuity Planning team is continuously monitoring the impact of coronavirus and will make recommendations as needed. If you have a question for our steering committee please submit it here.

Client visits are now virtual as a default. If you and a member of our staff need to meet face to face for any compelling reason, we have instructed our staff to only do so with mutual consent and adhering to the health and safety instructions including social distancing. You can connect to us via phone and via many digital solutions such as Google hangouts, Skype, GotoMeeting and Zoom.

Job interviews now are virtual. For any interactions where we must meet face to face. For onboarding, training, tests or picking up safety equipment, we ask that you get in touch with your consultant first to understand procedures moving forward. In the case of face to face interactions, we ask that people stay 1.5 metres apart. Consultants will wipe down any surfaces that have been touched after the meeting is finished.

This epidemic is a wake-up call for companies to carefully review the strategies, policies and procedures they have in place to protect employees, customers, and operations in this and future epidemics. Here are eight questions that companies should ask as they prepare for — and respond to — the spread of the virus. Read here

With the rapid global spread of coronavirus, companies should focus first and foremost on employee safety. And as they’re reviewing their strategies, policies, and procedures, many leaders are specifically wondering about their legal risk. Not having adequate communicable-illness policies and response plans could expose them to a laundry list of HR-related legal concerns. Read here

Many organizations, particularly multinationals, have infectious-disease management plans, but the majority do not. Companies need emergency teams headed by a coronavirus coordinator and a cross-functional team that includes HR, legal and information technology. Read here

Online video interviews increasingly being used by major recruiters seem to be the perfect answer to the disruption caused by coronavirus, but there is a catch: many senior-level positions still require a face-to-face meeting before the final handshake. Read here

If you’re considering what route your company might take—or if you’re an employee trying to predict how your employer might respond to a potential escalation of the virus—here are some specific resources and steps other companies are taking. Read here

Register here.

Official information and guidance regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Read here