BTE PLAN A RETURN TO WORK
Barry Parker • 13 April 2020
TAKING RESPONSIBLE ACTION(S) AS BTE RETURN TO WORK...
AUTOMOTIVE FRONTLINE
We have been extremely vocal across our social media channels in support of the NHS and the Government's request that we 'stay home, stay safe'. Classed as an 'essential business' we were expected to stay open over the most critical period of the virus's exponential growth - We made the decision to close. This was the right decision for us.
Social media is a powerful weapon in the modern world and can be used to great effect to provide key information to the people that need it most. It can also be a devastating weapon to distribute the wrong information to the same people... You can be certain the information we have and we provide is direct through the audited bodies that we affiliate with in the automotive industry. One of our social media posts has now made ripples within the government and after contact with our local MP, could now be used to help leverage additional business support for the wider automotive businesses that would've otherwise not have access to certain funding options and grants.
We are working as a voice for the whole 'automotive industry' - something that is not always reciprocated or appreciated by all, but we want to try and help everyone (if we can) through this very difficult time - COVID19 is bigger than business.
Our decision to close, has ensured that we have provided the essential business services we offer (where needed), to the right people who need the right support at the right time. BTE have taken the events of COVID19 very seriously, we have been keen to promote social distancing from the outset. To provide the required, sometime remote and on-site support to key workers, BTE have managed a zero contact policy - whilst ensuring our entire team remain in a minimum three-week isolation period.
MOVING FORWARD
How does a business so focused on preventing or reducing the spread of COVID19, actively work? The answer is, we cannot fully. We can be pro-active and we can create additional super-super-hygenic methods to help reduce the chances of spread, but we cannot be 100%.
In our initial video statement, we made it clear we would follow the governments advice to everyone and complete a (minimum) three-week lockdown period and return on Tuesday 14th April 2020. As a classed 'essential business', the government were expecting the automotive industry to remain open during this time (BTE were not expected to close). BTE employ a team of 16 people, so the chances of spread/ infection are quite high, add to this the volume of vehicles that pass through the workshop (sometimes 20-50/day), the multiplication factors are extremely high - it was a personal decision to close.
So what is different now...
WHAT WILL CHANGE
BTE Automotive will return with just 37.5% of its staff
A decision made due to the fantastic business support provided by our government. By limiting our staff, we reduce workflow, chances of contamination and it also provides BTE the very best chance of recovering from our financial losses. The furlough programme allows us to 'bolt on staff' as the business recovers.
KEY AREAS WE HAVE MADE AN ACTION PLAN FOR;
- AVOIDING CLOSE CONTACT WITH CLIENTS
- FREQUENTLY WASHING HANDS WITH SOAP
- CLEANING SURFACES & OBJECTS PEOPLE FREQUENTLY TOUCH
- DIGITAL A PHYSICAL INFO-GRAPHICS
- CLIENT AWARENESS PROGRAMME
- TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SOME BUSINESS SERVICES
- ADDITIONAL CONTACTLESS PAYMENT OPTIONS
We have put together a downloadable info-graphic (below) to explain the actions we have taken to ensure we limit the spread of COVID19 in the workplace, whilst providing maximum protection to our workforce, clients, community and of course the NHS.
WHERE DOES IT STOP?
The buck stops at health. It has been our action-plan from the start - a three week lock-down to clear the air, ensure our team are free from the virus to be able to ensure our clients you have a 'clean company' who can support you - unfortunately, despite requests not all automotive businesses took this decisive plan of action.
With very limited business support and a growing list of essential and key workers requiring our services and support, an expectation from the community, the government and the financial constraints and costs of operating a business we have to take the required action to protect the business and follow through with a return to work on Tuesday 14th April. We are urging the government to make the closure of the automotive sector mandatory, but with so many essential services reliant upon our industry, we are effectively in deep water with out a floating device, and we are going to have to paddle pretty hard to keep afloat - something we are not only prepared to do, but to do with conviction and lead the way in our industry.
I feel our actions have been in the best interests of our staff, our clients, our community and in support of the NHS. As stated in our digital action plan below, we continue to follow government advice.
We thank you all for your continued support and hope to see you all soon (just not all at once).
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