Statement of policy on Covid-19 containment
Introduction
As a
forward-thinking firm, we spend most of our lives helping clients stay ahead of
the taxman and their competition.
One
of the biggest challenges we face as small businesses, right now, is the threat
of Covid-19 (aka Coronavirus).
We
have team members who are vulnerable people (as defined by Government), and
many of you have vulnerable family members. In order to protect them, and you,
we have been early adopters of some preventative measures.
What
we are doing
We
have developed a two-stage approach to try and prevent the spread of this
virus, and to limit the damage it might cause to our clients if it does hit us.
Stage
1
We
will be holding all meetings via Skype, Zoom or on the phone until 31 May,
where possible. This will be a new experience for many of you, and we can help
you get set up for this if necessary.
Where
it is impossible to avoid a visit to our office, we will not shake your hands,
and will ask you to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds on arrival. We have
a selection of song lyrics that will help you time your handwashing and
hopefully lighten the atmosphere a little. Check the cloakroom mirrors for your
selection.
Stage
2
If
the Government recommend office closures, we will be working from home. We have
tested our homeworking structures, and they work very well.
Most
of our clients now deliver their records in electronic form, so we should be
relatively unaffected.
If
you are not currently using digital technology, we can help you get set up.
Please call the office for guidance.
We
appreciate that some of you still need to drop things to the office on
occasion. To ensure you are not disadvantaged, we will open the office each day
for a short period. Please call the office to check we are open.
If
you need to visit the office, this is what you’ll find….
On
arrival, you will find the door unlocked and a box just inside to the left to
receive your books and records.
Please
place the records in the box, say a cheery goodbye and enjoy the rest of your
day.
Our
team member will complete the ‘books in’ form, sign it on your behalf, and
cover the box with a dated lid.
Government
guidance (COVID-19:guidance for employers and businesses) states that the
amount of virus left on surfaces is significantly reduced after 72 hours. In
order to be on the safe side, the box will be removed to our upstairs office
and left unopened for a week. Thereafter, your paperwork will be processed in
the usual way.
Please
phone the office if you have any queries. We have prepared a few FAQs which may
save the you the hassle of a phone call. Please see the attached sheet.
Hopefully
these simple steps will mean a speedy return to normal working.
Please read our Covid-19 FAQs.