Business as Usual?

Posted in: About Valley Northern 3rd June 2020

 

Nobody knows what the future holds for businesses at the moment, so the term ‘business as usual’ feels a little inappropriate. However, if the government continues to see fit to ease lockdown restrictions for workers, it is a term that companies are starting to have to consider – or perhaps re-consider.

Like many businesses, Valley Northern has survived many a major challenge throughout our 48 years in business. These challenges have served to ensure we have the strength, experience and determination to succeed, despite being faced with situations such as the Coronavirus outbreak.

From the beginning of lockdown we took all the necessary steps to ensure we could meet production requirements whilst keeping all of our employees safe so they could do what they do best; providing our customers with a hassle-free, outstanding level of service.

Members of staff who have been able to have all continued to work remotely during the COVID-19 situation, helping to keep our customers well-stocked with much needed medical supplies and ensuring queries have been dealt with as swiftly and effectively as always.

We’re continuing to monitor all advice from the Government to make sure we're doing everything we can to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and to protect our staff, customers and associates.

Some of the measures we’ve put in place

Even before the Coronavirus outbreak we had staggered start and finish times, but early on we highlighted some further measures that we could put in place to ensure those of our staff members who could not work from home easily could follow to keep themselves as safe as possible:

• We have installed hand sanitising stations in strategic places throughout our premises

• A one way system is now in place with signage to guide our staff members around the building, so as to avoid accidental contact

• Gloves, masks and other PPE items have been made available to staff members

• All business travel and meetings have been halted and we actively encourage our workers not to use public transport

• We have a stringent cleaning regime, whereby we wipe down touch points & keyboards/desks on a daily basis

• We have measured 2 metres between each workspace, to ensure social distancing is maintained, and have implemented instant messaging software for all staff to use to help eradicate the need for face-to-face contact

• We also installed a new reward scheme for our staff that enables them to earn gifts to help maintain employee engagement, even though they are working remotely.

Preparing for the return to business…

We are offering a range of COVID-19 relevant products, from PPE and hand sanitiser to dispensers and workplace signage; applicable to any and all businesses. You can browse our range here, but if you are unsure what relevant equipment is best suited to your working environment, our friendly Customer Services team can advise you. Please call 01785 250123 for more information, or email sales@valleynorthern.com.

Whatever the future looks like for your workplace, we wish you good health and happiness and look forward to working with you for another 48 years. We must all support each other through this pandemic and the lasting effects thereafter. If you need Valley Northern, we will do our utmost to be here for you.