Support and Advice - As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect all of our lives in unforeseen ways and we embrace the challenges of working from home, we too need to consider the effects of isolation from our teams on our mental health. The truth is none of us know how long these new ways of working will be required and we appreciate that uncertainty can be worrying. If you need confidential support or guidance for yourself or your family, please contact the Total helpline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days week on 01224 920658. Here you can speak with psychologists specially trained in coronavirus issues, who can answer all your questions and advise you on any concerns you may have.
Staying Connected – now more than before, we need to maintain regular communication with our teams. Technology is available to support regular and effective communication with teams, including Teams and WhatsApp, during this period of homeworking. Don’t forget that some of these forms of communication require written permission and must always remain profession and appropriate.
HR Benefits and Payroll – all ordinary HR procedures will continue during this period and managers should ensure that anything needing to be processed via payroll, including sickness absence, dependent’s leave, overtime or changes to personal details are submitted today to the HR inbox. A future communication will be provided relating to payslips.
Flexible working and childcare responsibilities: Whilst we recognise that those with parental responsibilities are now facing a period of trial and error in balancing the needs of the business and their personal commitments, we are committed to offering support and flexibility during this time. In April, the expectations are that staff aim to work their contractual hours during an extended work day. For some employees this may be the usual contractual hours, however for others who are needing to juggle additional responsibilities this offers greater flexibility around the working day. We are however requesting that at least half your working hours are completed during the core hours of 9-5 with the rest during the hours the IT systems you use are available. For anyone who isn’t able to work your normal hours, please discuss with your line manager, so we are able to manage and monitor work load.