Business Operators Cautioned against asking non-essential workers to report for work

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, is cautioning business operators against asking non-essential workers to report for work after his office has advised otherwise.
He said it was important that non-essential workers remain at home when instructed to do so, as the advisories are usually issued in times of serious threat from disasters.
While acknowledging the effect staff staying at home can have on business, Mr. Jackson said the advisories are meant to safeguard the lives of citizens.
“We recognise that there were a number of businesses that still asked for their staff return to work this morning. We want to caution against this practice, because it poses tremendous risk to these individuals when they come out in conditions that are still designated as unsafe. So, the businesses are taking on tremendous risk to themselves and it has an insurance implication,” he explained.
Mr. Jackson is recommending that business operators take a serious look at their contingency plans and put in place measures so they are able to adhere to the advisories.