JEF says most members not ready for June 1 return of employees

 

The Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) says feedback received from its members indicate that most will not be ready with preparations for the June 1 return of employees to the workplace.

 

Businesses are expected to operate within the guidelines of physical distancing and infection prevention and control amid the continued COVID-19 threat.

 

JEF President David Wan said because many of the employers are not yet able to have full compliance with the Health Ministry's guidelines such as the setting up of hand sanitisation stations, some workers, depending on their job function, would be allowed to continue to work from home, where it is more efficient to do so or until the businesses are prepared. 

 

Mr. Wan said many businesses are also willing to accommodate workers who have children at home by allowing them to "continue working remotely, wherever possible, until school resumes." 

 

His comments were included in a media release issued Thursday by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), in which it encouraged employers to exercise compassion and collaboration to facilitate as much as possible, work from home or flexible working arrangements.