DOING OUR PART- A Business Perspective on Covid-19

PART 1

There is no precedent for dealing with this type of crisis in Trinidad and Tobago. For most employers this is uncharted waters, nevertheless, as employers, we have a duty to our employees, community, and country. In an effort to work through this period of isolation, we at PQS would like to offer a few helpful tips to employers to guide you through this situation.

1. Try to keep employees motivated – form a WhatsApp group if one does not already exist and send out daily notices. Engage employees, this will allow everyone to stay connected and provide that human contact that is important in this period of isolation.
2. Identify your most “at-risk” employees and institute procedures to minimize exposure in the workplace.
3. If there is a company health plan, ensure that all employees have the necessary information.
4. Discuss what measures are to be taken if an employee is suspected of contracting the virus.
5. Keep lines of communication open (email, telephone, and skype).
6. Take this opportunity to pursue some online training or classes
7. Meet with your team online.
8. Disseminate correct information and updates about the crisis.
9. Be clear to your employees about labor policy and procedure and how to plan on dealing with Covid 19 as a company.
10. Adhere to any government, security, health or regulatory warning that has been implemented.

These are just a few suggestions that we have tested ourselves and found to be useful. To borrow a quote from John F. Kennedy “In a time of domestic crisis, men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics”.