Although we never stopped working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are gradually reintroducing our staff back into the office on a rota basis and finding our ‘new normal’. Once fully in place, the rota system will allow for approximately 50% of our staff to be in the office at any one time, with the other 50% working from home; this will reduce the impact on our staff should someone contract COVID-19. All our staff remain contactable by email or telephone and the quality of work you can expect from us will not be affected. We also fully understand that this situation will also present challenges for you, our clients, and we want to reassure you that we continue to be here to help you in any way we can.

All of our phonelines are back up and running, although, you may find that the member of staff you would like to speak to is working from home so we would recommend emailing them in the first instance. If you do not have their direct email address or don’t know who you would like to speak with then please email our general inbox pdc@plandescil.co.uk and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. We are pleased to say that the few members of our staff we had to furlough are all now back to work, however, there are a few colleagues who are remaining wholly working from home to shield for varying reasons.

We will be conducting meetings with clients via videocall where possible, however, if you would like to have a face-to-face meeting please do not visit our offices without a pre-arranged appointment. If you do visit our offices for any reason then you will find that our front door is locked so that we are able to track and trace visitors – please ring the door bell and someone will let you in. We will ask you to sanitise your hands at our cleaning station and take and record your temperature using a ‘point and shoot’ thermometer – if you do feel unwell prior to your appointment, please let us know and we can arrange for another time when you are feeling better.

We are still undertaking all of the services we usually provide where we are able to adhere to the Government COVID-19 Guidelines. Our staff will keep a two-metre distance from anyone they may come across on site, as well as colleagues so you will find that they will arrive in separate vehicles.

We are taking extra precautions around the office, with desks further spaced out, cleaning stations at entrances and exits, screens between desks, ‘maximum occupancy’ notices on individual offices, two-metre spacings marked out and guidance posters dotted around. However, if a member of our staff is suspected to have COVID-19, they will make us aware immediately, refrain from attending the office, and get a test as soon as possible. All members of staff that have had any contact with the individual will be required to work from home until we can confirm whether or not the individual has tested positive. If the member of staff has undertaken any site visits or meetings, then we will of course make the Client and any other relevant parties aware so that they can also self-isolate and get a test if necessary.

We continue to strive to provide the best service possible to our clients and, as always, the safety of our staff and clients is paramount to us. We are regularly keeping up-to-date with the Government COVID-19 Guidelines to ensure that we provide a safe workplace for our staff and take all necessary precautions during site visits to safeguard our clients. Should the situation surrounding COVID-19 change, we will not hesitate to return to 100% home working and refrain from site visits if necessary.