FAQs: minimise disruption from COVID-19.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus. According to the Ministry of Health, the symptoms of COVID-19 infection are similar to that of regular pneumonia. Typical symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

At this stage, we do not know for sure how the virus spreads from person to person. However, there are steps you can take to help avoid catching (and spreading) germs:

• consciously practice social distancing. 
• stay at home if you are unwell.
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• put used tissues in the bin immediately.
• wash your hands with soap and water often and for at least 20 seconds each time. use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• please contact your manager if you are unwell.

Social distancing is an effective measure, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations and the aim is to generally reduce potential for transmission.

While practising social distancing, people can travel to work and purchase their daily essentials (including public transport). 

For non-essential activities outside the workplace or attendance at schools, universities and childcare - social distancing includes:

• avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others. Some examples include concerts, shopping centres and lifts.
• avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations
• attempting to keep a distance of at least 1 metre between yourself and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in a public place.
• avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
• avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.

People of all ages and races can get COVID-19. People in higher-risk groups (compromised immune system, health history of respiratory diseases and issues, pregnant and elderly people) are more likely to become severely ill with the virus. In such cases, you may also wish to take added precautions. Please discuss with your manager and reach out to HR. We continue to assess and test our technology infrastructure, and are confident that we will maintain service in the event that our teams employed on client programmes can continue to work (also in line with client plans, policies and procedures). 

Our senior leadership team will closely monitor the situation in all client accounts using our proprietary analytics programs. This gives us early insight into key recruiting metrics to ensure our teams remain agile and can be a significant resource in providing guidance on facilitating work from home arrangements, video interviewing services, virtual recruiting platforms, etc. to keep your business moving ahead during this disruption.

Like most companies, Randstad maintains a Business Continuity team focused on maintaining all aspects of our business functions related to the COVID-19 virus and its impact. In the current business environment, we have established protocols following recommendations from health authorities, national, regional and local task forces, and other advisory groups to ensure we can continue to run our business and support our clients and workers in the safest and most effective manner possible for all stakeholders.

As any emergent situation would require, Randstad will very closely follow the guiding rules organisations have in place for their own employees and will advise our employees on client sites to adhere to these same policies and procedures, with applicable monitoring and guidance.

As of 20 March 2020, 2359 hours, the government has updated its travel advisory for people entering Singapore. If your staff are returning to Singapore, they will be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice. This applies to all travellers, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. For details, please see the Ministry of Health website. 

The government has also advised Singaporeans not to travel abroad to any country or region. 

All who flout travel bans, quarantine orders, stay-home notice and leave of absence can and will be penalised under Section 21A of the Infectious Disease Act.

We believe governments and health agencies are best positioned to determine appropriate measures, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and other prominent health organisations, and our global and local task forces are adhering to their guidelines on mitigation and prevention.

If you feel unwell and/or have concerns that you have the virus based on your recent travel history, or due to the fact that you have come into contact with someone who has travelled to a high-risk area, we advise you to not come into the office and stay a safe distance away from your family members and/or housemates. 

You can visit the nearest Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPC) or polyclinic. Singaporeans who exhibit respiratory symptoms are entitled to a healthcare expenditure rate set by the government in view of COVID-19. Please check with the receptionist during payment. More information can be found here: https://flu.gowhere.gov.sg/

Please immediately connect with your manager and HR department to discuss your symptoms. They may also ask you to complete a Health Declaration form.

We continue to assess and test our technology infrastructure, and are confident that we will maintain service levels as they are. 

Our senior leadership team will closely monitor the situation in all client accounts. This ensures that our teams remain agile and can be a significant resource in providing guidance on facilitating work from home arrangements, video interviewing services, virtual recruiting platforms, etc. to keep your business moving ahead during this disruption.

If a family member is diagnosed with COVID-19 and you have been in close contact you MUST self isolate yourself and avoid any physical interaction with others. Please contact your HR and line manager and update them of the situation. 

If still unsure what you should do, please visit moh.gov.sg call the local non-emergency health line for further advice.

It’s the responsibility of all our employees to inform their manager and the HR Business Partners of their travel activities. As of 20 March 2020, 2359 hours, the government has updated its travel advisory for people entering Singapore. If your staff are returning to Singapore, they will be required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice. This applies to all travellers, including Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. For details, please see the Ministry of Health website. 

The government has also advised Singaporeans not to travel abroad to any country or region. 

All who flout travel bans, quarantine orders, stay-home notice and leave of absence can and will be penalised under Section 21A of the Infectious Disease Act.

It is important in these times to first and foremost reconsider all travel. If you or your employees absolutely have to travel, consult your manager first and discuss potential scenarios in case you cannot return to Singapore. For example, ensure you (have the tools to) can work virtually.

Randstad has an extensive business continuity plan. To find out more please reach out to your Randstad Account Manager or consultant who can share aspects of this plan and advise companies on best practice procedures to minimise risks and business continuity. In addition, Randstad Singapore has activated work-from-home from 10 February 2020, and regularly provides tips and guidance to keep business running as usual.

Our people have a full suite of IT solutions to support remote working and the continuation of services to our clients and candidates.

In essence you, our client’s, work from home policy applies - so we’ll need a copy of that plus ensure they have the right hardware to be able to do their job. Ideally, we want to be able to support our temporary employees and contractors to remain working.

Randstad has adopted reasonable and proportionate actions consistent with government advice that should be taken as precautionary measures to protect the health and wellbeing of the community. Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our workforce. Our proactive measures include taking proactive measures communicating hygiene practices to all staff members and keeping a log of all international travel. 

In addition, we have communicated hygiene practices to our working temporary employees and contractors. We will continue to update them over the coming weeks.

If required, we have further measures to update and support current working employees of Randstad, however, are monitoring the situation daily and following government advice on the matter.