- How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus spreads like the flu: When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches other people or surfaces, the virus may spread.
- What we can do
- Everyone has a role to play in limiting the spread of the virus. The company will be adopting the following precautionary measures in order to maintain a safe working environment: [as applicable]
- Increasing cleaning of the workplace.
- Ensuring that bathrooms are always fully stocked with soap and sanitiser.
- Placing sanitiser in each department / workspace.
- Placing disinfectant wipes in each department / workspace.
- Requiring employees experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay at home.
- Limiting face-to-face meetings to those that are absolutely necessary.
- Limiting travel to that which is absolutely necessary.
- Arranging for employees to work remotely where this is possible and practical, having due regard to the needs of the business.
- Placing signage around the workplace to remind employees and others to take precautionary measures.
- Please remember that, even though South Africa finds itself in unusual circumstances at the moment, the rights and duties of employers and employees have not changed. We appreciate that most people are concerned about the spread of COVID-19, however, you are still required to tender your services as per usual. Please do not panic. You are welcome to approach HR, at any time, should you wish to discuss your concerns.
- When to stay home
If you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, do not come to work. We expect you to notify us that you are experiencing these symptoms and that you will be self-isolating, and to provide proof of testing for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
- Leave
- Self-isolation
- If an employee self-isolates on the company’s instruction, your absence will be paid.
- If an employee self-isolates by their choice, your absence will be paid provided that the company is satisfied that your reason for doing so relates to a reasonable concern in respect of COVID-19.
- The company will not tolerate employees who abuse this policy for purposes of taking paid time-off for no legitimate reason. The company may therefore require that, if you elect to self-isolate, you provide the company with:
- Proof of international or domestic travel, including proof of your return date; and/or
- Proof of having undergone testing for COVID-19, regardless of the result of that test; and/or
- Proof of having come into contact with a high-risk individual / someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Sick leave
- Employees who are ill will take paid sick leave in accordance with their ordinary legal entitlements. In other words, sick leave will be deducted from your entitlement of 30 days / 36 days within a sick leave cycle of 36 months.
- If you take sick leave due to COVID-19, we will not expect you to provide the company with a medical certificate (visiting a Doctor would pose a risk to others). We may require other reasonable proof of incapacity, which will be fairly determined by the company.
- If you have exhausted your sick leave and test positive for COVID-19, the company will authorise your necessary sick leave, which will be unpaid. You may apply to the Unemployment Insurance Fund to receive illness benefits in respect of this period of leave.
- Annual leave
- Employees may continue to take annual leave in accordance with their usual legal and contractual entitlements.
- Please note that, while the company cannot prescribe what you do on your leave, we request that you continue to prioritise your health and safety so as to limit the risk posed to others on your return to work.
- Travel
The company will be limiting all business travel as much as it possibly can. The company cannot force you to stop travelling but, if you have travelled internationally, we expect that you will self-isolate and work remotely for a period of 14 days, and present yourself for testing as soon as possible.
- Everyday precautions in the workplace
- Remember that you share a responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. The company strongly encourages that you abide by the following precautionary measures:
- Cover your mouth / nose when coughing / sneezing. Use tissues or the crook of your elbow to cover-up, not your hands. If, out of habit, you do cough or sneeze into your hands please wash your hands immediately.
- Keep your distance. Avoid spending time in close proximity to others where you can. No unnecessary meetings should be held. If you have to meet; try and find a spacious venue so that attendees do not have to sit close together, and make sure that the space is as well ventilated as possible.
- Limit touch. Do not greet people with handshakes. Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth).
- Wash your hands, frequently. Wash for at least 20 seconds. Using hand sanitiser is an alternative to or in addition to handwashing. Sanitisers must be at least 60% alcohol. Be conscious of high-touch surfaces, like door handles, and wash your hands or sanitise after you have touched surfaces and objects that others have handled.
- Disinfect surfaces and objects. Wipe down phones, keyboards and any other frequently touched objects or surfaces in your work space with disinfectant wipes.
- We will not require employees to wear masks. You may wear a mask if you wish to.
- Disclosure
The company will do its utmost to ensure that any disclosure made to the company regarding your health will be handled with the utmost sensitivity. Information will only be shared with staff on a need-to-know basis, for purposes of ensuring your safety and the safety of those who work with you.
- Emergency measures
- In the event that someone in one of our offices is found to be infected with COVID-19, it will likely be necessary for the company to require a whole team, department or office to undergo a period of self-isolation.
- During this time, employees who can work from home will be required to do so.
- It is not the company’s intention to cause any financial prejudice to any employee due to a period of large-scale isolation. However, should any period of large-scale isolation threaten the financial viability of the business, we will consult with affected employees in respect of the possibility of taking a period of unpaid leave. While the company cannot impose unpaid leave on employees, we trust that employees will be open to these conversations in order to protect the business and everyone’s employment.
- Amendment of this Policy
The situation in South Africa is likely to change rapidly as COVID-19 spreads. The company will remain flexible in respect of this policy, employees’ needs, and changing risks in our workplace and communities. We may amend this policy from time to time, and will keep you informed of these changes.