Covid-19 and the Workplace

To manage the health and safety of our temporary staff, and those people that work with and come in contact with the organisations that our temps are placed with Edge Recruitment follows all of the directions as advised by SA Health. These directions can be found here.

Our expectation is that all members of our staff – whether permanent employees or temp team members will follow these directions.

Further details are provided below for your health, safety and wellbeing. Please be aware that you have a duty to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and to not adversely affect the health and safety of others.

Standard Controls:

• Wash hands with SOAP and WATER – ensure hands are completely dry
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Maintain adequate hygiene in kitchen facilities and bathrooms.
• Clean your tech gear (keyboards, phones, ipads etc). If cleaning equipment is not available, please speak to your team leader or contact Edge Recruitment for further direction
• Try not to shake hands or kiss when you greet someone

If you suspect you have symptoms of COVID-19

We need to take every precaution to not spread a possible case of COVID-19.

• It is important that you stay away from work if you have only mild symptoms or have had to take simple medications (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) which may mask the symptoms.
• If you have symptoms and suspect you may have COVID-19 – please take a PCR or RAT test and advise us of the results
• If you are absent from work because you suspect you may have COVID-19, or you are a close contact, please notify your consultant at Edge Recruitment and your team leader in the workplace where you are placed as soon as possible.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19

• Notify your consultant at Edge Recruitment and your Team Leader in the workplace immediately
• Follow SA Health guidelines in relation to what to do if you test positive, details of which can be found here
• Follow all medical advice to help you recover from your infection as soon as possible
• Depending on the work you are undertaking and how you are feeling will dictate your work situation. For some roles unfortunately there is no work from home option and you will be stood down while you are isolating. If you are well and the organisation you are temping for is able to offer you the opportunity to work from home, then this can be discussed with your temp consultant.
• The organisation you are placed with may require proof of a negative RAT or PCR test prior to you returning to the workplace.
• There are government subsidies currently available that can be accessed for certain workers who either have Covid-19 or have to isolate because they are a close contact. Details in relation to this can be found here.

If one of your family members or household members are diagnosed with COVID-19

• Notify your consultant at Edge Recruitment and your Team Leader at work immediately § Follow SA Health directions in relation to isolating, details can be found here
• If work from home arrangements are approved by the company where you are placed then you can do so. If this is not an option for your role then depending on the policy of the organisation where you are temping, you may be stood down for the period that you are considered a close contact. You may be able to access government subsidies as per the details provided at the top of this page.

What about general illness or sickness in the workplace? It is important that if you are unwell with any sickness or illness you do not attend work. If you come to work exhibiting signs of illness, your manager may discuss whether you should be at work and may send you home. This is important in making sure everyone feels safe at work. If you are at home sick for more than two days, we may require you to have a doctor's certificate before you return to work or ask you to take a COVID-19 test.

What about working from home arrangements?

Decisions around working from home are purely at the discretion of the organisation where you are placed. In some circumstances, it may be possible to negotiate work from home or hybrid in office and work from home arrangements. However, in other roles and environments, this may not be available or practical.

If you are in an assignment and begin working from home, please notify us as soon as possible so that we are up to speed with your working arrangements. If this does occur, we also need to have a discussion with you regarding work, health and safety in a home working environment. You will be required to sign our Working From Home policy if you haven’t already done so.

What happens if you are a casual employee who is sick or is caring for someone who is sick?

Unfortunately, as is the case prior to COVID-19 – there is no paid sick leave entitlement for casual employees. Casual employees will need to follow the enforced quarantine requirements set by SA Health and isolate for the prescribed period of time. The organisation you are placed with may require proof of a negative RAT or PCR test prior to you returning to the workplace.

Where can I go for reliable sources of information?

• Government of Australia Department of Health Website
• Department of Health and Human Services
• Fairwork Website
• Workplace Regulatory authorities
• Smartraveller
• World Health Organisation

What if a question I have isn’t covered here?

Don’t hesitate to call our office on 8232 2220! If our office is closed, please try us on our mobiles. We are happy to speak to you after hours if required.

Mary-Jane Massicci - 0405 679 971

Taryn Widdows – 0477 703 020