We are sharing our internal employee communication on the theme of the novel coronavirus externally, in case helpful to other companies.
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Employee communication in times of coronavirus
We will update this document with additional communication and context as things progress. However, we urge all employees and contractors to continuously follow the advice of public health officials to prioritise everyone’s health and safety.
Last updated on March 18, 2020.
Background
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus that infects humans was detected in Wuhan, China. Since then, tens of thousands of cases of COVID-19 have been reported in several countries outside of China.
We aim to protect the health and safety of our workforce as the virus continues to spread across Europe, and share this document to provide some guidance on how to handle the current situation.
Guidance for employees/contractors
As employees of KRY/LIVI we all have an important part to play when it comes to taking responsibility for the overall development of this infection in our society and at our workplace. We also need to think about immune-weak individuals among us so even if you are feeling fine and don’t worry for yourself - take your responsibility and show respect towards others.
Because of this, we’re asking all employees to work from home until further notice.
- HYGIENE
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing (2 minute rule) & sanitizing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
What we are doing as a company
- More frequent cleaning at all our offices
- No Monday morning breakfast buffet served as of March 10, 2020
- No serving of food that can be shared with others (cheese, ham etc.)
- We’re providing hand sanitizers at all our offices
- We’re providing computer and phone sanitizers for everyone to use daily
Recommendations for all employees
- Avoid crowded areas if possible
- Avoid public transport if possible and bike or walk instead
- Avoid shaking hands with other people
- Wash your hands often
- Do not touch your face without washing your hands first - BUSINESS TRAVEL
Since we as a company strive to safeguard our community as well as our public health, we have decided to halt all business travel abroad, unless absolutely necessary and signed off by the Management team (manager sign-off is not enough). Therefore, please cancel/suspend all international business travel until further notice.
A
If you have been traveling to affected areas (Italy, China, Hong Kong, Iran, South Korea or Austria (Tyrolen & Innsbruck) in the past 2 weeks please stay at home, contact Sofie Knutsson (HR) and pay attention to any symptoms such as cough, respiratory difficulties, and fever. - QUARANTINE
As of February 26, 2020, employees that have visited infected areas should work from home for 2 weeks and not come to any of our offices during that period. If you have questions regarding this decision, contact your manager or HR. - WORKING FROM HOME
Since we don’t know how fast the virus will spread we should always be prepared to not be able to come in to the office the next day and work from home instead. Therefore:
What we expect from each employee
- Bring computer and charger home every night (do not put it in the lockers)
- Make sure you have all technical instrument needed at home (RnD need
VPN for example)
- Make sure your team has had a conversation on how you will work together
should everyone work remotely
- Make sure your work phone number is available on Slack
- Make sure your emergency contact details are up to date in Bamboo - VISITORS
If meetings with external parties can be held over link or phone we encourage that in these times. If it’s not possible to do the meeting over link or phone and you therefore host a visitor at any of our offices it’s your responsibility as host to make sure they haven’t traveled in risk areas or show any symptoms. If they have, they are not allowed into any of our offices.
What we expect from each employee
- If you bring visitors to the office you have checked with them that they have not been travelling to affected areas or show any symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What do I do if I am feeling unwell but think it’s just a cold or seasonal flu?
A: If you show any signs of sickness – stay at home, regardless if you have been abroad or not. Pay close attention to your symptoms and call 1177 if you have symptoms. As Europe’s largest digital health care provider we need to work harder than ever during a pandemic like this. However, if you are not feeling well and you have symptoms, work from home or report sick absences until you feel better. For sick absence reported from March 11, 2020, the so called “karensdag” will be removed until further notice.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
The vast majority of those infected so far have only mild symptoms and recover without complications within 14 days.
Q: What do I do if I suspect I might be infected?
A: If you show possible signs of infection (respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and/or breathing difficulties), you need to get yourself tested. In Sweden, it’s a legal requirement that anyone who suspects they might be infected should contact 1177 in order to get tested for the virus.
Q: I just got back home from a trip to one of the affected areas, but I feel fine. Is it okay to come to the office?
A: If you have been to an affected area (China, South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan), please contact HR before coming to the office.
Q: I have a business trip planned in the coming weeks, what should I do?
A: The company’s travel policy at the moment is to suspend all international business travel, unless absolutely urgent. The urgency of your travel needs must be signed off by the Management team.
Q: I have a personal trip planned to one of the affected areas in the coming weeks, what should I do?
A: As a company, we can’t control what happens in your personal life. However, if you have been to an affected area you might have to wait for 14 days before coming back to any of our offices. Please contact HR if you have been traveling in any of the affected areas in the last two weeks.