As Singapore progresses to Phase 2 post-circuit breaker on 19 June 2020, the authorities emphasise that efforts to keep COVID-19 transmissions low must be sustained by limiting close contact amongst individuals, whilst maintaining hygiene and safe management principles. As such, Income will continue to take a cautious and gradual approach in resuming operations and business activities as circuit breaker measures ease.
Here’s what to expect in Phase 2 post-circuit breaker over the next few weeks:
- Staff working from home and on premise
As advised by the authorities, working from home will continue to be the default in Phase 2 post-circuit breaker. Therefore, we will continue to have only about 10% of staff performing essential and critical functions working on premise regularly. The remaining 90% of staff who are currently working from home will continue to do so.
A review is underway to look into how we can gradually allow more staff to work on premise when it is safe and permissible to do so. We will share more details when plans for our new way of working are confirmed in the second half of July.
- Face-to-face meetings not encouraged for staff
While the authorities are allowing small-groups (of up to five persons) to gather in Phase 2, staff should avoid congregation and prolonged close contact on and off premise as much as possible. We also strongly discourage meetings with external parties such as suppliers or vendors at Income offices as part of our efforts to maintain a safe working environment for our staff. Please continue to use virtual meeting platforms for discussions and meetings with colleagues and external parties wherever possible.
- Returning to the office for on-boarding / off-boarding and other ad-hoc matters
We have been making arrangements for new-joiners to come to the office to collect their company-issued machines and staff passes since the beginning of the month. This arrangement will continue. As circuit breaker measures further ease, we will also allow resignees to return to the office to retrieve their personal items between 22 Jun (Mon) and 3 Jul (Fri) with prior approval from the Initial Response Team (IRT).
Staff currently not registered/assigned to work on premise on a regular basis but need to return to the office to attend to urgent matters must continue to obtain prior approval from your manager and the IRT. The IRT will assess each request and approval will be given if the matter is deemed urgent/necessary, as we want to limit the number of staff on premise at any one time to ensure everyone’s safety, and a daily log of staff on premise needs to be maintained in accordance to guidelines from the authorities.
Requests to return to the office for on-boarding / off-boarding and other ad-hoc matters should be submitted to Ng Su Leng (suleng.ng@income.com.sg) from the IRT at least three (3) working days ahead of the intended return to office.
- Compulsory eLearning module on Safe Management Measures at Income
Staff are reminded to complete the compulsory “Safe Management Measures at Income” eLearning module and quiz before returning to work on premise, or by 30 June 2020, whichever is earlier. Here is what you have to do:
- Go through the eLearning material on ‘Learn@IBF’:
- All Joined Channels -> Business Continuity Management. Select “Safe Management Measures at Income”.
[Staff who are new to the Learn@IBF platform can refer to the IBF Starter Guides attached.]
- Take the quiz via the Income Staff Intranet:
- MyWorkspace -> MyApps -> MyLearning -> Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Governance Requirements. Select “BCP Quiz 2020 - Safe Management Measures at Income”.
- Progressive reopening of Income branches
MAS is permitting financial institutions to reopen more branches and resume in-person financial services in Phase 2 post-circuit breaker. As such, we will be reopening our Ang Mo Kio and Westgate branches on 1 Jul (Wed) to serve customers on an appointment basis and will accept limited walk-ins based on the permitted no. of persons on site to maintain safe distancing. Services will be limited to payment and policy servicing matters, and with ‘virtual assistance’ stations set up for customers to speak to reps / agents remotely on sales matters (e.g. policy purchase).
While our reps / agents are encouraged to continue to work from home and engage customers using the Remote Client Engagement (RCE) process, in-person meetings with customers will be allowed to resume from 19 Jun (Fri). Details of meetings with customers must be logged using the Sales Activity Management App, and reps / agents will need to adhere to a set safety protocols when meeting with customers. More details on this will be shared with reps in a separate advisory.
- Other Matters
All staff working on premise or returning to the office for any reason must take note of the following:
- Check in and check out using SafeEntry and tap in and out with your staff pass every time you enter or exit Income premises. This is necessary support contact tracing when required.
- Download and activate TraceTogether and keep it on at all times.
- Wear a face mask all the time.
We will continue to keep you informed on our business operations according to guidelines given by the authorities, as well as other specific arrangements going forward, as and when they are confirmed.
Thank you for your cooperation, and stay safe.
Chen Boon Khing
Head of BCM Workgroup
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