ICICI Lombard Issues Additional Guidelines For Employees' Safety
ICICI Lombard, a private non-life insurance company, is reinforcing and fortifying its employee safety measures and practices. The well-being of the employees is of prime importance and the insurer is committed to providing a healthy, safe and enjoyable working environment to its employees.
The additional measures are being implemented ahead of an expected surge of employees wanting to return to the offices, as more and more people complete their inoculation. Keeping in mind the safety and comfort of the employees, the insurer has allowed employees who are either fully vaccinated or have tested Covid-19 positive in the last 90 days, and produced a negative RT-PCR report, to work from the office premises.
Furthermore, the RT-PCR reports thus produced will only be valid up to 105 days from the date of the positive report provided by the employee. After 105 days, the employee will be either required to get vaccinated or provide a fresh RT-PCR report. Employees who are vaccinated with at least one dose, need to provide a provisional or final vaccine certificate. The insurer understands that vulnerability to the virus persists even after inoculation and hence will be implementing stringent measures to ensure the protection and wellbeing of its employees.
Branch disinfection and air-conditioning
As COVID-19 remains to be a highly communicable disease that can be passed on by touching common surfaces, all ICICI Lombard offices have undergone thorough disinfection. All areas in the office premises which are exposed more to human touch are being deep cleaned and disinfected regularly. Additionally, regular servicing of air-conditioning will be performed, while making sure that intake of fresh air is possible and cross ventilation is adequate.
Covid-19 Quarantine Assessment Committee
A special committee consisting of experts has been formed to facilitate assistance and take decisions on Covid-19 positive contact, suspected or proved cases, known as the Covid-19 Quarantine Assessment Committee (QAC). The primary responsibility of the committee is to provide critical assistance to the affected employees, ranging from getting the RT-PCR test done to facilitating consultation at hospitals for extreme cases.
Social Distancing
Lastly, while all precautionary measures are in place for safe and smooth working from the office premises, social distancing has proved to be the simplest and most effective way of curbing the spread of COVID-19. Hence, the insurer will ensure that proper social distancing is maintained at all times.
Earlier this year, ICICI Lombard conducted a survey to understand the working experience of employees pre and post COVID-19 and ascertain their willingness to continue in the new working culture. The findings revealed that satisfaction with working at home is much lower than working at the office, with only 25% of the respondents saying that they are delighted with the WFH scenario and the balance 75% being dissatisfied. By re-opening the office premises and allowing employees to work from the same, ICICI Lombard believes that employees will be able to regain their pre-pandemic levels of work satisfaction, thus boosting their efficiency and productivity.
