Policy Change Notification Form

Due to the societal changes and progress in world developments where the company adapts, the Company shall introduce updates to the company policies beginning July 2021. 

Rapid and swab tests shall be a requirement as part of the Company's program for stringent measures for COVID-19 prevention, where the company shall carry out its testing, in line with the government's current drive to eradicate the progression of COVID-19 globally.

Please read through the policy and sign your acknowledgment at the end of this form. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Human Resources Unit.

Introduction

Our commitment is to provide the best safety and health to our employees to the extent of what we can afford, in ensuring a healthy, happy, and productive environment for all members, staff, and guests.

This policy addendum is crafted to ensure that every employee, including the management, is safe and secure against the dreadful effects and spread of COVID-19. Measures shall be put in place to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace due to reckless or accidental causes.

Objectives

The following are the objectives of this policy:

• To help in promoting the protection of the health and safety of individuals in the office
• To minimize, if not prevent completely, the risk of intrusion of the virus in the workplace that may cause the suspension of operations of the company;
• To allow the continuity of business regardless of the location or venue of employees for certain key positions;
• To recognize the status of essential frontline employees who are needed in the office.
• To imbue upon each employee that the conduct of taking care for himself/herself and others starts within.

Definition of Terms

COVID-19 - stands for Corona Virus Disease, is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.'

Rapid Test - also known as Antigen test, is a testing method that detects protein fragments specific to the Coronavirus. The turnaround time for results is usually very quick and in some cases, results can be reported within 15 minutes.

Swab Test - properly known as Nasal Swab Test, is a testing method for COVID-19 which involves inserting a 6-inch long swab into the nasal cavity for 15 seconds.

Policy Rules

To protect our staff, we require all employees to undergo COVID-19 testing procedures on every time that any of the following symptoms manifest with the employee:

• fever
• dry cough
• fatigue
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• chest pain or pressure
• loss of speech or movement
• joint pains or flu
• night chills

Awareness

The company is committed in promoting and securing the best interest of employees at work by securing each and individual's health and welfare through the implementation and enforcement of the COVID-19 Policies.

The Problem

The outbreak of the Coronavirus has caused a global pandemic that affected not just individuals but has likewise caused a global recession by putting everyone's lives at risk of contracting the deadly virus. No individual is safe from the virus and the infection spreads rapidly whether or not the person infected manifests the symptoms. The supply of vaccines is limited that it sets prioritization for those who needed it most. We do not see in the near future that everyone will get vaccinated. There is likewise an age restriction on who will be vaccinated.

The Solution

Aside from the ongoing vaccination, the ones who have not received the vaccine shall continue to be at high risk from infection. With the company's need for business continuity, we have set this policy in order to protect everyone in the company from the possible spread of the virus. The company shall endeavor in ensuring that this policy shall be complied with without cost against the employee. The company shall facilitate a schedule or the employee may do so at their own, provided that the company shall be notified.

Misconduct

Our policy is principally concerned with the virus. Thus, we understand that the responsibility in making sure that the virus does not reach the company must come from each individual in the company.

Every individual must be secured to be tested for COVID-19 for swab or for rapid test at least once on a periodical basis. The certification shall be provided by the testing facility.

In the event that the employee has learned that he/she was exploded to a person who is infected or believed to be infected with COVID-19, the employee shall not go to the office and shall notify the office for such incident, where he/she will be provided means for working from home if possible.

If an employee found to be carelessly negligent or deliberately went to the office with knowledge of his/her exposure, the company will consider this act of negligence as misconduct and he/she will be subject to disciplinary action, which may lead to dismissal.

Working From Home

There will be two classifications of employees during this period.

1. Essential Office Employees - those whose responsibilities and duties requires them to be in the office;
2. Other Employees - those whose duties need not require their presence to be in the workplace.

During the period, in compliance with government directives and regulations, the people who shall be required to be in the office are the Essential Office Employees. Others may be allowed to work from home and shall submit periodic reports during their work-from-home setup.

Equality

This policy shall apply to all members of the company regardless of his/her role or position.

Monitoring and Review

This policy shall be subject to monitoring and review and shall have the full force and effect after 12 weeks from declaration hereof, in order to give each staff the opportunity to adjust, but in no case, must apply the policy immediately. This policy shall continuously be in review during the period until full enforcement, in compliance with the Employment Protection Act.