VHR’s Coronavirus Update for Clients & Candidates

As COVID-19 (the coronavirus) continues to spread, we want to take this opportunity to reassure you of our business continuity and safeguarding procedures, and reinforce our focus on supporting our clients and candidates throughout.

The coronavirus has already and will likely continue to challenge public health, with extensive challenges facing communities, the public sector and businesses across industries. In response, VHR have implemented strategic plans and practical measures to ensure we can continue to deliver our services to an excellent standard around the world.

How to Protect Your Health Whilst Working

Illness-Prevention Practices

As per the World Health Organisation guidelines, please make sure you are taking care of yourselves, especially by washing your hands regularly (or using hand sanitiser if you are unable to wash your hands) when and where possible.

Public Health England recommends the following precautions to help reduce your risk of catching and spreading COVID-19:

· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. Put used tissues in the bin straight away

· Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

· Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. If you become ill, self-isolation is recommended to avoid transferring the infection to other people, especially those who are more vulnerable.

Safeguarding Your Access to Healthcare

As is often the case with manual and technical roles, it is not always possible to work remotely, and some staff at companies around the world will be continuing to work throughout the outbreak.

If you are from an EU country and are currently working away from home in another EU country, please make sure you have your European National Health Card (ENHC) or at the very least your ENHC number.

This card/number may be used in an emergency if for any reason you need to visit a hospital when visiting or working outside of your home country.

These cards are issued for free by your country’s healthcare provider. For example, if you are from the UK, you can apply for your card from the following link: https://www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card and if you are from another country, you can apply through your Government’s website.

What is the European Health Insurance Card?

A free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.

Cards are issued by your national health insurance provider.

Important – Please note that the European Health Insurance Card:

· is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property,

· does not cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment,

· does not guarantee free services. As each country’s healthcare system is different, services that are free in your home country may not be free in another country.

Here to Help

VHR remain on hand to assist with any concerns and questions, including recruitment and workforce planning implications for your business.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with your dedicated VHR contact with any questions or concerns, where your contact will be happy to help.

We will keep all clients and candidates updated on any significant changes to business and recruitment services throughout the coronavirus outbreak, and we wish you, your business and employees well at this difficult time.