2020-03-19
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the UK, we would like to update you on our Business Continuity Plan and our work with our panel suppliers.
Working with our panel
We are in close regular contact with our panel suppliers to ensure we are able to provide business as usual for you. Many of our suppliers have already started working remotely and have Business Continuity plans in place for future remote working.
Our team have all of the necessary contact details for us to remain in regular contact with our suppliers during this time, as well as key escalated contacts, too.
As with most businesses during this unprecedented time, everyone is working their hardest to ensure business continues as normally as possible.
Should you need any assistance on new cases or ongoing matters, please contact our inhouse team as usual and we will be happy to support. Alternatively, please contact your Regional Account Manager.
0333 456 4567
enquiries@sortrefer.co.uk
Our Business Continuity Plan
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the UK, Sort Group have reviewed the Business Continuity Plans in place to deal with the specific disruption to the business that COVID-19 may cause irrespective of whether we are affected directly or not.
Our objective is to ensure that risks related to the COVID-19 outbreak to the following business operational areas are managed and mitigated as far as possible:
· Human resource management
· Processes and Business functions
· Supplier and Customer management
· IT and Communications, both internal and external
Sort Group will:
· ✔ Minimise the health risk to employees
· ✔ Ensure all best practices for personal hygiene and behaviour are met by all employees
· ✔ Plan for a period of disruption and make arrangements so that business operations can continue
We are adhering to current government guidelines namely;
· The introduction of preventative measures minimising health risk to employees. Appropriate signage and internal communications have already been produced. Office hygiene with regular cleaning, the provision of hand sanitisers and sufficient soap supplies.
· All employees have the use of remote working technologies and communication such as Citrix Remote Desktop, advanced telephony services and Microsoft Teams for staff to enable them to work from home when determined appropriate
· Travel has been minimised and all external events have been cancelled. Visitors to the office are accepted on an ad hoc basis (please check before attending) if deemed necessary. Should any external visitors attend the office they should only do so if they feel fit and well and adhere to the internal preventative measures (hand cleaning etc)
· All managers have made themselves aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and how to safeguard employees in the workplace.
· Anyone showing symptoms is being advised to call 111, take the necessary advice and to self-isolate if told to do so.
The COVID-19 situation is evolving daily, but Sort Group Business Continuity plans aim to minimise disruption to customers and suppliers whilst safeguarding our employees. Our leadership team will continue to review these plans and will share updates as the situation develops.
Business Continuity Plan
Sort Group Business Continuity Planning focuses on the following:
· At present we are dealing with business as usual and our head office remains open.
· We will shortly move to a phased working from home for ‘at risk’ employees and giving them the choice to work from home.
· If schools should shut then the next phase will be for parents/ carers to be given the option to work from home.
· A full closure of the office and a work from home solution will be implemented in lines with Government regulations should a lockdown situation occur.
· Please use the normal numbers and email address to contact us on.
· All staff will have the ability to work from home where appropriate and have full access to the systems and telephony that they normally would have. The majority of staff will be switched to soft phones.
· For Introducers and Suppliers, we will be encouraging the use of email during this time and using telephony for urgent escalation to give quicker resolution where able.
· We are keeping abreast of the daily changes and will look to revise our policy in line with the guidance.
You can contact our team on:
0333 456 4567
enquiries@sortrefer.co.uk
