During these unprecedented times, our commitment to providing clients with the best design outcome is unchanged. We are fully operational and continue to work to ensure our services are being delivered in line with client and industry expectations without compromising the broader impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our community.
This policy outlines our continued commitment to clients and teams and how we will ensure business continuity and a safe environment for our team, clients and sub-consultants during this time.
Work from home
Early in the pandemic, Guymer Bailey provided employees with the ability to work from home to ensure their health and wellbeing and to do our part in helping to flatten the curve.
Working remotely has always been part of our flexible work arrangements, so our ability to adapt to these changes company-wide has been both seamless and efficient. Our IT infrastructure enables our team members to have access to the software, resources and tools they need to work productively and communicate effectively with our clients and consultants to maintain our desired level of design excellence.
Prioritise hygiene
It has always been Guymer Bailey’s stance that if an employee is unwell, they are to stay home. Should an employee need to enter our studio or attend a client meeting or site meeting staff are advised to wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. To protect our team on-site, we do provide protective equipment, which now includes hand sanitiser and gloves.
When we return to the studio, staff will be encouraged to clean their workstations regularly with disinfectant and avoid using other staff members’ workstations and personal items.
Practice social distancing
If indoors, there must be a minimum of four square metres per person. Those who are working in the office are encouraged to spread out to maintain social distancing. If outside, there must be a minimum of 1.5m between people. As per government advice, handshaking is to be avoided.
Limit project meetings and site visits
Project meetings will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in response to client or contractor requirements and the personal situation of our team members. Gatherings are to be limited in accordance with Government restrictions and should follow social distancing protocols.
The safety and wellbeing of our team is our top priority. Staff are encouraged to conduct meetings using “non-contact” methods such as Zoom, Skype or Teams and only initiate face-to-face meetings if absolutely essential. Should a meeting be essential, but social distancing measures are not enforced or followed, our team have been instructed to leave for their wellbeing.
We have also made it clear to our team that if they are not comfortable in attending meetings and site visits at this time as they are concerned for their personal health or the health of vulnerable family members, we will fully support their decision not to attend.
Avoid travel
To protect our team and be in alignment with Government travel advice, we have directed our staff to avoid interstate travel unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, domestic travellers should refer to State Government websites for isolation requirements.
Seek support
Staff are encouraged to talk to their manager if they require support in any way. If additional support is needed, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available to all employees (casual, part-time and full-time) and their immediate family members.
Professional counselling and coaching are key services of AccessEAP, with access to support services available 24/7. Staff members and their immediate family members are entitled to five 1-hour counselling/coaching sessions each year. This service is confidential, and AccessEAP will not provide Guymer Bailey with the details of matters discussed.
In the event of a confirmed case within our studios
If there is a confirmed case within one of our studios, all people within close contact of the infected staff member in the 24 hours prior to the development of symptoms are to be identified and notified and are required to self-isolate immediately. The studio will be closed until a hospital-grade clean is completed. Staff who have not been in close contact with the confirmed case will be permitted to return once the office has been cleaned, and as a precautionary measure, all staff who have been in the studio in the previous week will be tested. If more than one case is confirmed the studio will be closed for 14 days.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and smell, muscle pain and fatigue, if any team members are suffering from any of these, they will be required to call the COVID-19 24-hour hotline on 1800 675 398 or contact their GP or local emergency department to arrange testing and appropriate care.
As the situation continues to develop and new information comes to light, we may need to change our approach detailed within this policy. In this case, we will do so with careful consideration and open communication with our team. As we do work collaboratively with clients, we are open to adapting to other organisation's requirements during this time and welcome conversations accordingly.
If you have any questions regarding Guymer Bailey's response to COVID-19, you are welcome to contact our directors, Kavan Applegate on (03) 8547 5000 or Phil Jackson on (07) 3870 9700.