India, 19 August, 2020: Gi Group, The Adecco Group, Randstad and ManpowerGroup, the Indian operations of four leading global HR services companies have released the `Safely Back To Work’ – Best Practices Handbook. It is a comprehensive compilation of health and safety protocols that will enable businesses and workers to safely return to the physical workplace when the time is right. The report currently covers four sectors – Manufacturing, Infrastructure, IT/ITES and Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences.

The ‘Safely Back To Work’’ – Best Practices Handbook has been three months in the making with active participation from organizations across various sectors. The handbook also has excerpts from reports of our knowledge Partners NASSCCOM Insights, Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India and Stanton Chase, and our Emotional Wellness Partner, Your Dost. Based on insights received, the handbook lists the measures that are recommended under themes: Workplace protection, Employee protection, Non-employee protection, Business Process Adaptations and Employer-led Health Interventions for each of the sectors.

This handbook is the first in a series, with the next one covering Retail, E-commerce and Business Services/Consulting. It incorporates practical guidelines and recommendations, which companies can learn from and implement as per their specific needs. The handbook also features a special section towards emotional wellbeing to enable organizations to take cognizance of this aspect while getting back to work safely.

Speaking on behalf of the India alliance, Marcos Segador Arrebola, Managing Director, Gi Group India said, “The impact of this crisis on society is enormous, especially for those more unprotected. With COVID cases in the country picking above 60,000 a day recently, the challenge to create a safe environment that assures the security of the workforce is more important than ever: leadership must act to ensure workplaces are both productive and safe. For this reason, the alliance created with Randstad, Adecco, Manpower and Gi Group is willing to minimize the devastating effects of the virus into the economy and people’s lives by creating safer workplace environments for us all.”

The Safely Back To Work – Best Practices handbook was developed in consultation with key industry body partners and employers.