COVID-19

Home COVID-19
  1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to highlight the measures Risk Mentor is actively taking to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

All employees are requested to follow all the rules set out below diligently, to sustain a healthy and safe workplace in this unique global environment.  It is important that we all response responsibly and transparently to these health precautions.  We assure all our employees that we will always treat your private health and personal data with high confidentiality and sensitivity.

This coronavirus (COVID-19) Risk Mentor policy is susceptible to changes with the introduction of additional governmental guidelines.  If so, we will update our clients and employees as soon as possible via email or our website.

2. Scope

Risk Mentor has offices located in Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle providing technical and safety compliance services to our many clients throughout Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

This coronavirus policy applies to all of our employees who physically work in our office(s). We strongly recommend to our remote working personnel to read through this action plan as well, to ensure we collectively and uniformly respond to this challenge.

3. Policy elements

This section outlines the required actions employees should take to protect themselves and their co-workers from a potential coronavirus infection.

3.1   Sick leave arrangements

  • If you have cold symptoms, such as cough/sneezing/fever, or feel poorly, request sick leave or work from home
  • If you have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, you can return to the office only after you have fully recovered, with a doctor’s certificate confirming your recovery   

3.2  Work from home requests

  • If you are feeling ill, but you are able to work, you can request to work from home
  • If you have recently returned from areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases (based on government announcements), we’ll ask you to work from home for 14 calendar days, and return to the office only if you are fully asymptomatic
    • You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time
  • If you’ve been in close contact with someone infected by COVID-19, with high chances of being infected yourself, request work from home
    • You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time
  • If you’re a parent and you have to stay at home with your children, request work from home
    • Follow up with your manager or departmental leader to make arrangements and set expectations
  • If you need to provide care to a family member infected by COVID-19, request work from home
    • You’ll only be permitted to return to the office 14 calendar days after your family member has fully recovered, provided that you’re asymptomatic or you have a doctor’s note confirming you don’t have the virus
    • You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time

3.3  Travelling/commuting measures

  • All domestic work trips and events are assessed by the Directors and approved only if it is safe to do so
  • All international work trips and events (except New Zealand) are cancelled/postponed until further notice
  • In-person meetings, both onsite and offsite, should be done in line with the meeting venue COVID-19 guidelines
  • If you normally commute to the office by public transportation and do not have other alternatives, please ensure you maintain hygiene practices in line with government/service provider guidelines
  • If you are planning to travel voluntarily to a high-risk country with increased COVID-19 cases, we’ll ask you to work from home for 14 calendar days
    • You will also be asked not to come into physical contact with any colleagues during this time

4. General hygiene rules

  • Wash your hands after using the bathrooms, before eating, and if you cough/sneeze into your hands (follow the 20 second hand-washing rule)
  • Use the hand sanitizers available at the office
  • If working from home, ensure hand sanitizer is available in your home office
  • Cough/sneeze into your sleeve, preferably into your elbow
  • If you use a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize your hands immediately
  • Open the window regularly to ensure open ventilation
  • Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth with your hand s to prevent from getting infected
  • If you find yourself coughing/sneezing on a regular basis, avoid close physical contact with your co-workers and take extra precautionary measures such as requesting sick leave and/ getting tested

5. Endorsement

The Risk Mentor Directors endorse this policy.