News / A safe return to the office: BIFA prepares businesses for life after lockdown

© Massimiliano Cardinali |

BIFA has published a thorough guide on how its members and other businesses should prepare for a return to their offices.

The association said it had been receiving queries from members regarding steps they should be taking to facilitate the return to work after lockdown restrictions are eased by the government.

While BIFA noted it was “difficult to provide precise answers because there are numerous variables, including the lack of specific guidance from government”, it has outlined a series of measures companies should consider.

“The safe return of all staff to work must be the primary concern of all employers. Also, it makes good business sense…”, it said.

But BIFA also acknowledges that there may be some preliminary concerns.

“The presumption of this article is that the vast majority of members will resume business, but the first matter to assess is the trader’s financial viability.”

The article outlines what should be reviewed, such as cargo handling procedures, the provision of PPE, a ‘staggered’ start-up of business depending on how premises can function under social distancing and office layouts.

BIFA added: “It is likely that the post-lockdown situation will be an evolving picture and it is important that companies monitor staff feedback and ongoing government advice/regulation to adjust their initial policies and procedures as applicable. Any procedural changes will have to be promptly advised to staff and implementation monitored.

“We obviously wish all our members a successful return to work and will assist wherever we can. Salutary lessons can be learned from recent experiences, all seem to agree that greater resilience and flexibility will have to be built into business processes, and there will have to be new realities about areas such as credit control procedures and level of cash reserves held by businesses.

“There is an old saying that is as true today as ever it was – ‘if something does not break you, it makes you stronger’. BIFA extends its best wishes to all its members in recovering from the international impacts of the disruption caused by coronavirus.”

You can read the Planning return to work – post coronavirus guidance here – and it is likely to be relevant for many countries.