Home work-the new normal

As the virus tightens its grip on the community you can expect growing numbers of businesses to close temporarily and for more and more people to be asked to work from home.

The CDC recommends that employers actively encourage those who are ill to stay away from the workplace and tells business managers to prepare for wide-scale absenteeism. This can be because staff are sick, because they have child- care issues or are caring for a sick relative.

Emergency planning specialists say companies should try to implement flexible structures to enable business to continue even if staffing numbers are depleted. They recommend cross training personnel to perform essential functions so that the workplace is able to operate even if key staff members are absent. Communications experts are warning that more home working will put a lot of additional pressure on telephone and internet service.

Three Rivers Communications say they’re ready for what- ever the virus throws at them.

“We have been preparing for weeks,” said General Man- ager David Gibson.

“We have been planning for people working from home and we are confident that we will be able to keep people connected. As things change we will adjust to meet the changing needs.”

Gibson says he hopes the community will not panic but instead will keep a level head.

“At times like this, panic is contagious so people need to stay calm and follow the offi- cial advice” he says.