The most important thing we can do is keep our cool and practice social distancing. At the time of writing this – no employees have come down with the virus. This will change.  We are preparing contingency for the monitoring station including relocating staff within the facility to increase social distancing. We are also equipping 10 mobile computers, we are looking at setting up desk computers for use at home - for those office functions deemed essential (eg. collections, monitoring station, dispatching, invoicing, and payroll). It would help us to know what functions you think might be done remotely, please discuss with your manager. Managers, please do not make special accommodations without clearing with an executive.

We are creating a rhythm where each executive will be meeting with their managers each morning to receive feedback on new issues. At the end of the day the executive will meet with HR and review the comments and concerns and will update our communication to all staff as needed. Regardless we will send out a communication to all staff at least weekly (Friday). If you have questions or concerns that needs guidance on your situation contact your manager or HR.  

If you want to self-quarantine – you’re not sick, just fearful, then you need to come to work, you are not entitled to short term disability. Contact HR or your manager to receive further guidance. 

If you have ALL the symptoms (fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing), or you have been diagnosed with the virus, you need to stay home for 2 weeks or until your symptoms disappear. Apply for a short-term disability claim, access your unused sick time, vacation or unpaid time off. Come back to work when the symptoms disappear. Any claim for longer than 2 weeks will require hospitalization or a doctor’s note.

If you are feeling sick, but don’t have all the symptoms then stay home and apply for a short-term disability claim, or access your unused sick time or vacation. Come back to work when the symptoms disappear.

For those servicing properties – we need to be asking the building managers two questions: 1. Is there anyone in the facility that has the virus, and 2. Do they have any policy about servicing their property that we should be aware of. Depending on their answers we need to revise our servicing accordingly. For now, we should not be entering residential in-suites to do testing and repairs or attending facilities like care homes. Abide by the instructions given by the property references. You must wear gloves when servicing, frequently sanitize, and check with shop for supplies or acquire on your own and expense those purchases. If the customer asks that you wear a mask do so, a paper mask will suffice. Use soap and water for cleaning your hands. For cleaning surfaces an acceptable sanitizer is 5 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water and use a spray bottle and apply accordingly.

Limit business visitors to the office, if we need them to attend to service or make repairs, they need to wear a mask.

Please only trust business updates released by either the Executive Team or HR. Please read the email sent on Friday March 13. Again, we will keep you updated as things transpire. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Robert Baxter, P.Eng.

President/CEO