Changed Trading Arrangements
as @ 27 March 2020

Just a quick note from the team at GMR Engineering Services to update you on our status in regard to the virus crisis.

VIRUS PRECAUTIONS
You would be aware that we are currently trading as normal.
We have implemented a “workplace virus safety strategy” designed to reduce exposure and limit risks to our employees and clients.
That strategy includes measures which comply with the social distancing and hygiene requirements as recommended by the authorities.
Our normal trading arrangements will continue until the government (or our staff) decide otherwise.

OFFICE CLOSURE
We are anticipating that at some time over the next few days the National Cabinet will issue a directive for the closure of non-essential businesses and the cessation of non-essential travel.
Until that happens we will continue to operate as per our “workplace virus safety strategy”.
That directive is likely to result in the closure of our office as a workplace.

In the best interests of our staff and others we have decided to close, ie. not withstanding what the government may decide in the interim.
We shall commence a staged closure of our office from 5.00pm tonight, Friday 27/3/20.
That process will be completed by 5.00pm on Tuesday 31/3/20, after which all contact will be by telephone or email.

We shall continue to receive and respond to incoming calls through our switchboard during normal business hours.
Our hard (snail) mail arrangements are unchanged and our email addresses will remain unchanged.

WORK FROM HOME ARRANGEMENTS
In preparation for the closure of our office we have arranged for our key staff to continue to work from home.
This will allow us to keep our team intact, in work and delivering services.
We continue to enjoy the support of many of our clients and have sufficient work to continue to operate.
At this time, we expect this work will continue for at least the next 2 to 3 months.

Our ability to work from home will be facilitated through the use of a secure VPN access to our network.
This will allow our work to progress and also enable normal email continuity in a secure environment.
Email will be our preferred point of contact, however telephone contact will be available during business hours, ie. from 8.30am to 5.00pm.

All of our data will continue to reside on our server and be backed up daily.
GMR staff will not be available for meetings unless they are via teleconference, skype or the MS Teams zoom facility.
Some staff have elected to take leave, however the majority of our staff will remain available.
Our ability to attend site, undertake inspections, survey work etc. will be dependent upon ant travel constraints that may apply.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES
GMR provides a range of services to the insurance industry and has done for many years.
Under that arrangement we often undertake work deemed to be of an “essential service“ nature, ie. where a structure may be at risk or other matters which may include public safety or similar concerns arise.

If you require our services for any matters which you believe may be deemed “essential service”, please provide instruction to our office or by email.
We will then contact you to review the matter to ensure “essential service” criteria is met.
If so, we can then make necessary arrangements for site attendance etc as required despite the shut-down.

In closing, we would like to extend to you our best wishes for the next few weeks ahead.
We will continue to advise you of any further changes as they may become necessary.
Please let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Take care and stay safe.

GLEN & FAY RYAN and the Team at GMR Engineering Services