Our Virtual Care Package for employers during COVID-19
UPDATE: The resources below have been updated since changes were made to the Wage Subsidy Scheme for employers.
The Government’s efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus using a four stage Covid-19 alert system mean big changes for employees and businesses. We know that this will be an uncertain and stressful time for NZ business, and you’ll be thinking about what you need to do as an employer. If you’re concerned about the impact on your business, we can help. Our contact details are at the bottom of this page.
We have curated the key resources and ideas you’ll need to keep your team safe, informed, and connected. Think of the below as a Virtual Care Package. Handpicked information and resources that you can provide to your team, or send on to any other leaders and business owners who may appreciate it.
As People and Culture Consultants, we aren’t medical experts – but we do specialise in keeping your team ticking. There is an information overload currently with so much news coverage being shared. It can be overwhelming for you and your team to navigate.
Here is our pick of good sources of information, all in one place.
COVID-19: Information for businesses
This page brings together government information relating to COVID-19, how it may affect your business and how you can stay up to date as new information becomes available. After the announcement that NZ is moving to Alert Level 4, the business support package will be modified in response to the changing needs of NZ businesses. Details of this package will be available here as soon as they are confirmed.
Unite Against COVID-19 for Employers
This NZ Government website has everything you need to know about COVID-19 in one place. Learn the steps you can take to unite against the virus and slow its spread. Find out what help is available and get the latest updates.
Workplace response to coronavirus (COVID-19)
General guidance for managing scenarios in the workplace, like what to do if you need to change an employee’s working arrangements, and accessing the government’s wage subsidy and leave payment schemes. Updated information on managing employees during a “lockdown” period will be updated here.
UPDATE: As of 3pm Friday 27 March 2020, the previous separate sick leave payment scheme has been folded into the Wage Subsidy Scheme. The original sick leave scheme was designed when few people were in self-isolation. The Government is working on arrangements for those in essential work who require sick leave due to COVID-19.
For help understanding how the Subsidy works, check out the link below. The details of the support options will be updated as they change:
Details about the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme works
Apply for the Subsidy through Work and Income
Once you’ve learned about the financial support on offer, this is where you can apply to receive it through Work and Income. This form is for employers to fill out on behalf of their business.
Mental Health Foundation’s Top Tips to Get Through
It’s a bit tense out there in the world, and the more we can do to be kind to each other and ourselves the better. See the Mental Health Foundation’s advice for wellbeing during the pandemic, and forward it along to anyone you know who is having to self-isolate or is feeling anxious about it.
We know it’s hard to know the right thing to do sometimes when people’s wellbeing is impacted. If you need advice on how to promote wellbeing in uncertain times for your team, or support a specific issue for a team member, we can help. You can always talk it through with us if you’re unsure, our contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Ideas to stay connected while practicing physical distancing
Don’t underestimate the impact on your team’s wellbeing working remotely. We are choosing to refer to it as “physical distancing” rather than “social distancing” – because we can still stay social at a distance! Here are some ideas to keep your team social and connected:
- Create a dedicated instant messenger channel for socialising – and get posting! Pictures of people’s working space at home, their pets and kids keeping them company, and memes are a good way to kick it off
- Provide a how-to document for using your online meeting of choice so that all team members are able to participate easily
- Schedule a recurring daily “lunch time” online meeting for home workers so you can still enjoy lunch together
- Organise daily check ins where possible, either via phone, 1:1 and as a team
- Do the daily Stuff quiz together
- Allocate 5 minutes at the end of meetings to discuss something non-COVID-19 related, something positive or interesting
- Have Friday afternoon drinks together via online meeting
- If you have the resources, send a physical care package to your team’s home addresses
Article: Why do we need to practice physical distancing?
A great Washington Post article providing the best explanation of how “social distancing” works and why it is essential that we practice it now. Includes some handy simulations demonstrating it visually, this is a great way to show anyone who is unsure why this is the recommended approach to keep us safe.
Planning your next move
In these uncertain times, we understand you may be worried about how it will affect you and your team. If your business is impacted we can support you through change and/or restructuring, and help you make the best decisions for your people. Get in touch if you need guidance on accessing the Wage Subsidy and Leave Payments, managing sickness and leave, working from home, and wellbeing.
You can reach out to Jaime, Bronwyn or Anna directly through our Contact Us enquiry form,
call on 021 165 5955, or email us at [email protected]
