In general, we are starting to see businesses moving into an ‘acceptance’ stage, from a ‘response’ stage. Many made the major, immediate business adjustments early on (working from home, closing premises etc.) and have now accessed, or are in the process of accessing initial business support packages to help them with cashflow and job retention.
Businesses are now looking at the re-start, recover stage which is firstly, a phased exit from lockdown.
The immediate need is to exit a phased lockdown and businesses are seeking absolute clarity from government on guidelines regarding returning to work implementation. This must include answers to:
- Phasing – sectoral, regional, risk based?
- Interdependence – transport, childcare, education, police support of new rules
- PPE and other critical health & safety guidance
- Plan B – what happens if there is worsening public health
They are also seeing extension or phasing of existing business support schemes. This is to cope with the phasing of bringing people back to work and increasing orders gradually, particularly within a supply chain.
Some businesses are looking further ahead to a stage called ‘resilience’. A handful of businesses are already reporting diversification of products, increased demand (which may or may not be short term) and diversification of channel of supply namely services online as opposed to traditional selling methods. Support for this phase could be for those who can gain additional growth via any one of these methods. This could be grants for those that achieve this, or it could be training or I.T infrastructure support to enable this growth to happen.
Initial indications from businesses on topic areas of future support are as follows (by order of majority):
- International Trade
- Managing Change
- Staff Wellbeing
- Remote Sales and Business Development
- Digital Marketing
- Business Planning for Raising Finance
- Leadership
- Cyber Security/Fraud
- Automation
By sector, current information shows that support is required for the following challenges:
- Manufacturing – help with return of furloughed employees; increasing orders; cashflow
- Retail – cashflow; help with return of furloughed employees; re-opening of business; increased orders
- Business services – help with return of furloughed employees; increasing orders; cashflow
- Tourism/leisure – re-opening of business, help with return of furloughed employees, cashflow; increased orders.
What will the post-lockdown workplace look like?
Many businesses are waiting for guidance that will come from government, in order to work out specific plans for their business. Any plans they put in place will need to conform to Public Health guidance and regulations, in order to assure Directors they are meeting their statutory obligations and will not be open to significant risk claims, including in the extreme cases of Corporate manslaughter.
Likely areas for plans to be focused around could include:
- Safe working distances and social distancing – Split shifts, staggered start/finish times, phased return, permanent/semi-permanent homeworking, alternating groups, distance between desks, use of common areas – reception, toilets, kitchen facilities, lifts, building access
- Health and safety – new risk assessments, safe working practices, management of clients, visitors, suppliers, contractors, increased cleaning, general hygiene and PPE use, backdated, renewed and updated maintenance plans
- Employee management – managing remotely/split teams, employee wellbeing, communication, training, managing absence, use of testing options, managing job changes or business changes, induction on new processes
- Movement of people – travel, visitors, face to face contact restrictions
- Large scale gatherings – limit on numbers perhaps
- Movement of goods – importing, exporting
- Enforcement – new processes and procedures
Alongside some of the areas to consider above, primarily, businesses may have some key objectives, including:
- Minimising risk to employees, customer and the public and being a ‘responsible’ employer
- Ensuring compliance to legislative responsibilities and government guidance
- Protection of their brand
There is an enormous amount to consider and with vague guidance and speculation at present, businesses are struggling to make firm plans to return to work. However, business can at east start to think about the ways in which they could adapt their business and workspace in preparation for lockdown reduction.
The Chamber offers a host of support and guidance for businesses trying to navigate their way through the pandemic. For more information, visit: https://hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/coronavirus-information/