By Chris O. Utoware, the Head, Human Capital & Administration, CHAN Medi-Pharm Ltd. /Gte,
Introduction
The news of the outbreak of COVID-19 came like a child’s play or fairy tale that we all thought would disappear in a very short while. It was all in form of breaking news to us here in Nigeria as it continued to spread from China to other continents like Europe, America and the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, our government did not take appropriate preventive or control measures on time and this in-action metamorphosed into the first few cases recorded in Nigeria. GBAM! Sooner or later, the spread of COVID- 19 began across all the States in Nigeria and it was like wild fire with more cases in Lagos State and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
What happened next?
Precisely, on the fourth week of March 2020, the spread of COVID- 19 was so much that different State Governments on their own started taking control measures including total lock down and full restriction of movements.
We at CHAN Medi-Pharm (CMP) saw ahead and the Management decided to allow all our employees work from home and to only come to the office where and when necessary. Meanwhile, all Management staff were expected to be at work periodically in order to carry out essential assignments and to review the pandemic situation from time to time. The Plateau State government declared a total lock down the following week and this did not come to us a surprise since we had already asked our staff to work from home.
On lock down
The lock down was characterized by scarcity of food and essential items, as majority of Nigerians survived mainly on daily earnings. Also, for employees on monthly pay, salaries were not regular during the lock down. Even some companies resorted to cutting the salaries of their staff with different percentages. Others resorted to outright sacking, retrenchment, and downsizing of their employees by to the barest minimum. The lock down period was quite a difficult time for employees including those of CHAN Medi-Pharm as we all grappled with the difficulties of taking care of ourselves and our families.
We at CHAN Medi-Pharm did not give a pay cut to our staff but rather saw an opportunity to reach out to all through provision of food items in order to ameliorate the harsh economic environment and realities brought about by COVID-19. Cutting down of staff strength was considered not to be a viable option for us as well to ensure that all our staff were able to cope with the prevailing economic environment and realities. This period was one in which every essential need of life became very expensive as inflation rose exponentially.
It was a period where almost every human activity came to a halt. The schools were shut down, airlines were shut down, and even churches were not spared. The shutdown of airlines affected some of our staff whose families live in a different cities from where they currently work for the company. This is because there was a total interstate lockdown via roads and no flights available. It is better imagined than to be experienced for a staff to live outside the place where the family resides for such a long period. Our Management also approved and provided extra transportation allowance for those who need to come to work since workers in the health sector were exempted from the lockdown. One thing of note was that this period of lock down led to boredom for some of our staff who approached me to say that they were tired of staying at home or working from home.
During the lockdown in Plateau State where our corporate office is located, Fridays & Saturdays were lockdown free days to enable residents re-stock food items. This window was always hectic for everyone including our staff as they all struggle in different markets to get what they needed to sustain themselves and their families. It was really a chaotic situation as people including staff of CHAN Medi-Pharm had no choice than to adjust to the new way of life.
Post lock down
- The management of CMP procured infrared thermometers to check every staff at the entrance for use during or post lockdown before resumption every morning, also provided customized face mask made of fine cotton.
- Liquid soap and a bucket of clean water was provided at the entrance of our premises for the regular washing of hands both at the time of entry and during working hours.
- In addition, an automated dispenser for hand sanitizer was provided at the reception for everyone (including staff) to sanitize their hands before entry into any office.
- A documented protocol was also written and provided for every staff on what to do concerning social distancing and the regular washing of hands.
Today every staff of CHAN Medi-Pharm has come to realize the existence of COVID- 19 and how to live with it.
