Dear Chamber Member,

I hope you, your families, friends and colleagues are all well.

With some outline on when businesses may be reopening in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, the focus has shifted to operational considerations. However, to define our recovery locally, nationally and internationally, it is essential to have the appropriate blend of public safety measures, business supports and capital investment stimulus. By setting out a clear national Return to Work Safely Protocol, we are one step closer to recovery. 

As with all COVID-19 measures so far, this is a fast paced trial being put straight into practice and it is equally essential that an appropriate balance is struck. It must be workable in practice, to truly incentivise a vigorous and resilient recovery.

As we approach implementation, we encourage Government to remain consultative and collaborative in ensuring the Protocol is a success. We will engage actively with our sector groups, via our Sustainable Cork Programme, and have the best information and training services available to our members to ensure this Protocol adds meaningful value on our recovery journey.

We encourage all employers to carefully consider the contents of the protocol as they plan their next steps. As Cork Chamber is represented via Chambers Ireland on the forum which guided the development of the Return to Work Safely Protocol, we welcome your feedback and comments - your views shape our agenda.

Tomorrow's webinar Return to Work Safely Protocol Update will address the key issues to guide companies in their preparations, and we invite you to register free here. In the coming weeks we will bring further updates and information to aid your return to work, and our training & events will focus on the aspects relevant to challenges of reopening business. 

The Return to Work Safely Protocol is available for download from our dedicated business supports page *click here*. 

Please share your thoughts with me on what challenges are facing your business in preparing to reopen, on email <HERE> or 087 9471858 or with any of the team at Cork Chamber.

Take care,

Tomorrow's webinar Return to Work Safely Protocol Update will address the key issues to guide companies in their preparations, and we invite you to register free here.

Checklist: 

• Has your workplace appointed one or more lead COVID-19 employee representatives?
• Have you a COVID-19 Response Plan?
• Have you a procedure to identify & manage if employees have symptoms of COVID-19?
• Now is the time to review policies such as working patterns and sick leave
• Develop prevention and control measures to minimise risk to employees
• Consider the changes to occupational health and safety measures in your workplace

Remember to keep communications open with your teams open at all stages.

Ensure you inform employees of updates to policies, procedures and supports that you are putting in place.

Maintain a consultative approach from the outset, as this will help all parties address their new work environments.

Details for all of the items above have been addressed in the Return To Work Protocol Document found on our Covid19 Business Support Page Here

This protocol was developed after discussion at the Labour Employer Economic Forum, at which Cork Chamber has representation via Chambers Ireland

Across the Chamber team we represent your interests. From research and analysis, to stakeholder engagement, to lobbying, our agenda is shaped by you. Since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have continued our work on local and national platforms to advocate for the best supports for your business, to shape plans for the future and to harness the power of the business community in protecting our economy.

Through this we have advocated for:

The clarity employers received around the implementation of the Wage Subsidy Scheme

Ease of implementation of business supports, financial supports and schemes

The focus on cashflow measures such as VAT, PRSI, commercial rates and restart grants

We continue to promote a vision of a sustainable recovery, and our newly developed Sustainable Cork Programme will work to aid the business community in realising a resilient and bright future for Cork.

More detail on updates from Government, along with our advocacy activities can be found on our dedicated Business Supports Page here