COVID 19 Workplace Guidelines Post CMCO

1.     It is the responsibility of every employee to take all measures to ensure their own health and well-being in regards to the Covid 19 virus, be it at work or outside work premises. The Company will complement this by taking every measure to ensure that the workplace is safe and that all employees are protected and can go about their work without worry or apprehension. Some measures that will be undertaken by the Company to ensure the safety of employees at office premises include the following:

a.      Ensuring that the workplace is clean and hygienic.

b.     Putting hand sanitizer dispensers at all strategic locations of the office area for ease of use.

c.      The display of posters promoting health measures like washing of hands, wearing of face mask etc.

d.     Ensuring that all surfaces like desks, door handles, telephones, and other high-contact areas are sanitized regularly.

e.      Toilets will be sanitized twice daily.

f.       Health advise and guidance from authoritative sources will be relayed to employees regularly. The Company will also undertake measures to update employees on preventive measures at all times.

2.     All employees, guests, and visitors must undergo the following health routine before entering Company premises i.e.

a.      Mandatory sanitizing of hands

b.     Temperature to be taken. If it is above health limits, then the Company reserves the right to refuse entry to that employee or visitor.

c.      Mandatory wearing of face masks at all times.

d.     Social distancing will be practiced at all times (1 meter apart from other individuals).

e.      Shaking of hands is prohibited.

3.     All employees are to also undertake measures to disinfect their own working premises such as keyboards, telephones, chairs etc. This is to be done at least once every two days. Disinfectant liquids and other items to disinfect will be provided for by the Company.

4.     Any employee who has the following symptoms i.e.

a.      Dry cough

b.     Fever

c.      Diarrhea

must report it to the HR department and must leave the work premises immediately. HR will then be given the authority to take the necessary and appropriate action.  

5.     Employees displaying the symptoms above may be asked to undergo a Covid 19 test. The cost of the test will be borne by the Company and must be conducted in an authorized clinic or hospital. If negative, the employee is to report back to work immediately. If the test proves positive, then the employee will take sick leave as per Company policies. On recovery, it is mandatory for the employee to produce a signed document from the doctor or hospital concerned, attesting to their current health status.

6.     All employees who get the virus, will get their entitled sick leave as per Company policies. These employees will also be entitled to another extra 5 days of sick leave, above their entitlement. This is only for employees with the Covid 19 virus and not for any other sickness or diseases.

7.     All employees who have consciously or unconsciously come into contact with individuals infected with the virus, and on realization, must report this to the HR department. They will then have to self-isolate in their homes and after 14 days must undergo a mandatory Covid 19 test. They will not be allowed into Company premises at any time until the test results. In the 14 days of self-isolation, they are required to work from home.

8.     At the workplace, all employees must undertake preventive measures to ensure their health and well-being. These are as follows:

a.      Usage of a face mask is mandatory at all times, unless at home.

b.     Employees are encouraged to sanitize or wash their hands regularly when at work, at least once every hour.

c.      Practice good hygiene habits in the office.

d.     Practice social distancing at all times, especially in places like the canteen, pantry, meeting rooms etc.

e.      Office seating arrangements will be reorganized to take into account that all individuals must be seated at least 1 meter apart.

f.       Open windows and doors whenever possible to make sure the venue is well ventilated.

g.     No congregation of employees is allowed for whatsoever reason.

9.     Meeting protocol. Meetings are an important part of management and hence cannot be stopped altogether. However, there will be added conditions to all meetings held within the Company premises. These are:

a.      Although meetings are important, it is also important to consider whether the meeting or event is necessary or can be replaced with a video conference.

b.     If necessary, try to reduce the number of employees who have to attend the meeting or hold a web meeting if possible.

c.      Any employee who is not feeling well is to be exempted from the meeting.

d.     Where face to face meetings are necessary, seating arrangements are to be at least 1 meter apart.

10. Positive Test for Employee. Any employee who is tested positive will be sent to the hospital immediately to undergo treatment. Sick leave entitlement as per company sick leave policy will apply plus another five days. All employees who have had contact with him/her will be requested to be self-isolated for fourteen days, after which they will have to undergo a Covid 19 test. They will only be allowed into company premises if the results are negative. Infected employee's desks and all personal belongings in company premises will be disinfected immediately.

11. Isolation Room. A room has been set aside as the isolation room in the Company should any employee come down with symptoms of the Covid 19 virus. This room is to be used to isolate the employee pending a Covid 19 test or as a waiting room prior to departure to the hospital. If the employee is tested positive for the virus, then all the other employees who have had contact with him/her are to undergo a Covid 19 virus test. All costs of tests will be borne by the Company. This isolation room is to be disinfected on a regular basis.