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Working with COVID-19

Working with COVID-19

The following updated statement for working with COVID-19 outlines the Data#3 approach, practices and protocols to ensure, as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people returning to Data#3 office locations or working at customer, vendor or event sites. It also addresses the health, safety and wellbeing of those impacted by our operations, including our customer’s site-based staff.

Statement January, 2022

Data#3, at a minimum, continues to adhere to Australian and State Government guidelines as the primary source of guidance on COVID-19. We recognise that these guidelines are fluid and may change when new advice is provided by the Australian and State Governments. Data#3 recognises that the Australian and State Governments’ guidance is that staff may continue in a ‘work from home’ environment if they are able to do so.

Key protocols of Data#3’s COVID-19 WHS Response Plan, including key risk controls, are summarised below:

  • Regular and clear communication and consultation via the MD/CEO, Group Manager OD&HR and State General Managers, including advice and support from the Crisis Management Team, and WHS Advisory.
  • Fully vaccinated policy for staff where they are required to perform their role away from home.
  • Social distancing for all staff, including site specific limits.
  • Personal hygiene and desk/office cleaning practices.
  • Strict conditions of entry to Data#3 offices, including guests.
  • Staff training and awareness program, including EAP counselling.
  • Contact recording and tracing systems.
  • COVID-19 plan assessment of all customer, vendor or event sites staff propose to attend.
  • Zero or very limited essential travel.
  • COVID-19 Incident Response Plan, including hotspot, quarantine, and COVID-19 case management.
  • Working from home when higher risk is assessed; encouraged work from the office where lower risk, and 40/60 ‘return to work’ (work/home) where low risk.
  • Business Continuity Plans for each specific site, with detailed and regular reviews for warehouse operations.
  • State-based COVID-19 plans.
  • Strong recommendations to obtain COVID-19 vaccine boosters as soon as staff become eligible.

Within our risk management framework, the approach is influenced and informed by:

  • Health, safety and employment legislation and Data#3 risk advisory
  • Data#3 staff and community safety consultation
  • State Government recovery plans and restrictions

The Data#3 Return to Office guidelines and processes are consistent for all states, however each application takes into account specific State Government requirements. The graphic below depicts the return to office approach and responsibilities for staff and Data#3. Guests to Data#3 offices will be limited to those considered essential at this time.

Data<sup>#</sup>3 Covid-19 Plan

In light of the continuously evolving COVID-19 situation and customer concerns surrounding the associated impacts, Data#3 will continue to advise on the following actions in place to manage continuity of service for your business.

Data#3 has activated a Business Continuity Response Plan that addresses the evolving situation to allow for uninterrupted service for our customers. Like you, we are faced with similar potential impacts, and our planning incorporates measures to provide and maintain support for our customers. The Data#3 Response Plans will be continually reviewed and enhanced in relation to the situation. To date, the below actions have been rapidly enacted:

  • Our business continues to operate as usual and to date has successfully managed the shift to a hybrid working model.
  • Data#3 has undertaken capacity planning and implemented solutions to ensure that technology systems are meeting the work from home requirements of our workforce.
  • Customer Service Level Agreements (SLAs) continue to be maintained. The Data#3 business operations continue to service our customers with the support and solutions they need throughout this time and ongoing.
  • Data#3 understands that the current situation has created a host of financial difficulties across many companies, including those of our partners and customers.

Our aim is to support customers and partners as much as possible throughout this time.

Please continue to follow the advertised support, service and escalation channels. If you require additional support, please reach out to your main Data#3 contact at any time.

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding throughout this challenging time.

Data#3 is in ongoing contact with major suppliers and able to provide updates on request if not already proactively delivered.

We will advise customers as soon as possible regarding any product or service which becomes limited, or if any foreseen impact to customers becomes known.

There are many unknowns right now. We are dedicated to doing everything we can to deliver the product, services and support your business is reliant on to stay productive and effective during these challenging times.

We have updated our Solution offering to assist you across the following areas:

Professional Services

The Data#3 team is able to address many issues remotely. Additionally, we are ready to support on-site customers who have provided safe access as approved by local authorities and within government guidelines. In the current environment, limitations on travel may delay standard response times. We ask for your patience as we work to get team members to you. Employees will follow health and safety protocols from authorities, as well as customer policies

Whilst our service teams remain ready to support our customers, it is important our customers demonstrate their own compliance guidelines along with any local regulations put in place by state or federal health departments. In the event of any concerns surrounding your workplace, we ask that our customers notify us prior to engineers attending site. If this is the case, please contact your local Data#3 contact.