COVID-19 We are all in this together

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Moving away this week from the industrial relations and workplace health and safety side of the changes that have impacted the management of staff (COVID-19 Staff Management, COVID-19 Working from Home, COVID-19 Temporary Award Changes, COVID-19 Further Temporary Award Changes, COVID-19 Fair Work Act Changes for Job Keeper Scheme), but still relevant to COVID-19 situation we find ourselves in, this week we turn our attention to the innovation that workplaces are demonstrating in an effort to stay afloat and connected with their employees, regardless of whether they are working from home or have been stood down.

We said in a previous announcement, that we were so positively surprised as to how many and how quickly businesses put flexible and working from home arrangements into place to ensure the health and safety of their staff – and the public.   Business went above and beyond what governments were asking at the time and should be proud of their efforts in that regard.  I am sure their employees are extremely grateful too.

We do absolutely appreciate that not all jobs can be done from home, but it is still important to put other measures in place to ensure employees’ health & safety.

Ii is also great to hear more stories of what business are doing to innovate such as;

  • Bundaberg Rum and Beenleigh Artisan Distillers working together to produce hand sanitiser
  • Schools & individuals making personal protective equipment
  • Some businesses hiring now, or undertaking training & development now rather than later
  • Some businesses are buying new equipment now and not waiting, to support other businesses
  • Then there is the #MakingitforQld initiative in Queensland for manufacturing businesses that can lend a hand in the fight against COVID-19 and I’m sure other states and New Zealand have something similar.

And this is why we keep saying, now is the time to consult and communicate with your team!  The possibilities of what they may come up with to diversify or plan for the future has the potential to be innovative and inspiring!

You might even like to think about encouraging your employees to sign up for the Care Army, if based in Queensland, however I am sure other states and New Zealand have their own similar initiatives.  This would be if they are not continuing to work and / or being usefully employed of course but a good way to keep connected – you could have team meetings regularly and encourage employees to share what they have done with the rest of the team.  It is important at this time for everyone to keep connected but also important to keep in contact with your team during this time.

What are we doing?  We are keeping you informed of changes and considerations impacting staff management, assisting you with queries due to COVID-19 when required, working from home to keep us and everyone else safe and encouraging employers to investigate the government packages when considering staff options to do our bit to keep people in jobs.   We are doing our best to do our little bit as an organisation.  Love to hear what you are doing!  We are all in this together.  We all need to do our bit.

If you require advice on these provisions or further assistance with the management of your staff during this time, please let us know.    We are here to help.  We remain available via email or phone – leisa.messer@hrbd.com.au or 0401 271 616 | 07 3890 2066.

 

We hope you are OK.  RUOK? Take care.  Keep safe.

The Team at HR Business Direction