How to effectively manage staff needs, track performance, avoid layoffs and observe employee rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic
TOPIC : How to effectively manage staff needs, track performance, avoid layoffs and observe employee rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Host : Raimond Molenje, Kenya Bankers Association, Head of Legal and HR
Host's Profile
Organization: Kenya Bankers Association
Designation: Head of Legal and HR
Raimond Molenje, Head of Legal, Human Resources and Industrial Relations @Kenya Bankers Association.
Has over 16 years' experience in both legal and human resources practice having worked as a practicing advocate, corporate in-house Legal Counsel at a government parastatal, several legal, HR and labour relations roles. Prior joining KBA he was HR Advisor at De La Rue Currency and Security Print; Group HR Manager, Employee Relations at Equity Bank and Legal Manager at Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE).
Molenje is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public and Lecturer at the College of Human Resources Management. He is also a Board Member with: Auctioneers and Licensing Board and Mediation Accreditation Committee of the Judiciary. He is a practicing member with both Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM).
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THEME : Supporting MSMEs by creating equitable opportunities for MSMEs across the country
MONTH : May 2020
Focus Areas :
The focus areas for this chat session will be as follows:-
Strategies for business sustainability and job security.
Employer and employee rights considering the pandemic.
Management of business contracts during the pandemic.
Management of leave and staff levels.
Return to work protocols upon opening.
CHAT TRANSCRIPT
Timestamp
Source
Message
2020-05-14 11:10:35
Hello everyone, welcome to today's chat session
2020-05-14 11:10:35
2020-05-14 11:12:29
Our topic today is How to effectively manage staff needs, track performance, avoid layoffs and observe employee rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic
2020-05-14 11:12:29
2020-05-14 11:15:20
The focus areas for the chat session are: 1. Staff performance management considering Covid 19.
2.. Strategies for business sustainability and job security.
3. Employer and employee rights considering the pandemic.
4. Management of business contracts during the pandemic.
5. Management of leave and staff levels.
6. Return to work protocols upon opening.
2020-05-14 11:15:20
2020-05-14 11:21:27
Our host today is Mr. Raimond Molenje. Raimond is the Head of Legal, Human Resources and Industrial Relations @Kenya Bankers Association.
He has over 16 years' experience in both legal and human resources practice having worked as a practicing advocate, corporate in-house Legal Counsel at a government parastatal, several legal, HR and labour relations roles. He is also a Board Member with: Auctioneers and Licensing Board and Mediation Accreditation Committee of the Judiciary and is a practicing member with both Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM)
2020-05-14 11:21:27
2020-05-14 11:59:46
Hello everyone..first here and looking forward to an informative one hour?
2020-05-14 11:59:46
2020-05-14 12:02:43
Me too. I am ready to soak in all that Raimond has for us today.
2020-05-14 12:02:43
2020-05-14 12:04:49
Thanks so much Kimunya, and very happy you could join the chat session today
2020-05-14 12:04:49
2020-05-14 12:06:15
I see afew people are already in the chat room. Annabelle, Joy Kenneth, karibuni sana.
2020-05-14 12:06:15
2020-05-14 12:07:54
We look forward to your participation. As we wait on the host to join in, we welcome you to begin posting your questions and comments around the topic of the day so that the host can pick them up and as soon as he joins us
2020-05-14 12:07:54
2020-05-14 12:08:19
Asante Angela
2020-05-14 12:08:19
2020-05-14 12:10:46
Our host is here and ready for take off, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Raimond Molenje to the chat!
2020-05-14 12:10:46
2020-05-14 12:12:21
Thank you for taking your time to join the conversation and we are honoured to have you on board and we look forward to an engaging session on our topic for today.
2020-05-14 12:12:21
2020-05-14 12:14:06
Welcome Kimunya. We are happy to have you join us
2020-05-14 12:14:06
2020-05-14 12:16:23
Thank you Mr.Raimond and the moderator as well..personally I think this time frame favors me more than the morning one
2020-05-14 12:16:23
2020-05-14 12:16:30
Thankyou Angela and Joy.Welcome Raimond
2020-05-14 12:16:30
2020-05-14 12:18:13
We are in a period where we have not had prior learning experience and this calls for a lot of innovation in many of our business aspects. As the pandemic continues there's need to focus on strategies at our different business levels. First of which is survival; both as a person and as our business.
2020-05-14 12:18:13
2020-05-14 12:20:35
The safety of all of us, that is, business owner and employee comes first and a number of issues have to be aligned to the current situation with the expectation that this period might persist between 12 to 18 months as advised by experts pending the development of the vaccine to the virus.
2020-05-14 12:20:35
2020-05-14 12:21:37
People need to look at the office space and the sitting arrangement of your team. This has to change.
2020-05-14 12:21:37
2020-05-14 12:22:40
Secondly, businesses should focus on encouraging people to work from home and also employ flexi hours for those coming to the office.
2020-05-14 12:22:40
2020-05-14 12:24:42
It's an employers requirement to provide safety equipments and in this current situation it's the employers responsibility to provide face masks for employees and sanitizers.
2020-05-14 12:24:42
2020-05-14 12:26:43
You're welcome to share your questions, experience and challenges. We look forward to answering your queries.
2020-05-14 12:26:43
2020-05-14 12:26:48
Hello everyone, remember to tweet and use the hashtag #InukaSMEchat.
2020-05-14 12:26:48
2020-05-14 12:28:08
This situation is critical for the "employee" who the entrepreneur looks up to for the business upkeep; and who she will need for continuity of the business once the situation stabilizes.
2020-05-14 12:28:08
2020-05-14 12:31:56
Indeed it's true that it is a challenging period to both employees and business owners and this calls for the entrepreneur to be more humane and empathize with their key resource personnel. In this perspective discussions with staff are critical just to have a common understanding of the follow.
2020-05-14 12:31:56
2020-05-14 12:32:26
1. Discussions of either paid or unpaid leave
2020-05-14 12:32:26
2020-05-14 12:32:39
Over one million Kenyan have already lost their jobs..and if the situation persists beyond 12 months many more will not have a source of income. What is the surest way to deal with this largely and specifically from an employees perspective including their mental well being?
2020-05-14 12:32:39
2020-05-14 12:32:55
2. Pay cuts
2020-05-14 12:32:55
2020-05-14 12:33:59
3. Review the staff levels with a focus on long-term strategies to ensure you retain best talent who are able to assist in your long-term strategy
2020-05-14 12:33:59
2020-05-14 12:37:17
Maybe to add on all being said here,..i believe its during times like these,no matter how hard that we should strive to activate our "CSR's" no matter small the act as they will go a long way in cementing our business brands on both our customers n employees minds
2020-05-14 12:37:17
2020-05-14 12:37:48
Entrepreneurs have a duty to assist their staff on mental health issues and this has been a critical subject even before the pandemic. It's true that the loss of jobs is going to continue and we need to be prepared both as an employees and businesses. It's critical to note that the survival of a number of businesses are at risk.
2020-05-14 12:37:48
2020-05-14 12:41:34
thank you for this comment, this period provides an opportunity for businesses to enhance their brand visibility to their customers, staff and the public at large which might not actually involve a lot of finances e.g. if you provide face masks to a particular disadvantaged group.
2020-05-14 12:41:34
2020-05-14 12:44:04
This week there have been two case studies on staff disengagement during this pandemic. 1. The Uber Termination of 3,500 Staff executed through a zoom call without any prior discussions and their last day of work being that day of zoom call
2020-05-14 12:44:04
2020-05-14 12:46:54
2. The Air BnB Termination of 1,900 Staff. Which happened after three successive virtual discussions with staff and detailed explanation were given why the company had taken that decision. Staff were assured of terminal benefits payments over and above the minimum as provided for in the law and also promised good recommendations.
2020-05-14 12:46:54
2020-05-14 12:47:26
This is really sad.
2020-05-14 12:47:26
2020-05-14 12:49:46
In our local situation in Kenya any terminations/redundancies during this period will involve the following to fully comply with the employment law.
2020-05-14 12:49:46
2020-05-14 12:50:16
1. Discussion with staff on the reason for the redundancy.
2020-05-14 12:50:16
2020-05-14 12:50:29
Organisations big and small are all been faced with very serious challenges. It is during times of pressure that the real deep colors emerge. It is unfortunate that an organisation like UBER deals with staff in that manner. Very unfortunate.
2020-05-14 12:50:29
2020-05-14 12:50:58
2. Notice to the Ministry of Labour and staff/union
2020-05-14 12:50:58
2020-05-14 12:52:43
3. Thirty-day notice to the Ministry of Labour during this period the staff must be in employment either at work or on paid leave.
2020-05-14 12:52:43
2020-05-14 12:55:19
4. Redundancy has a cost so the employer must prepare to pay the outstanding leave, salary up to the last day, and severance pay (15 days salary for each year worked) plus the contractual notice.
2020-05-14 12:55:19
2020-05-14 12:56:39
Mr.Raimond, thank you more so on the laws to observe even though I am not affected at this stage(I am still not a big employer) but I know I will be
2020-05-14 12:56:39
2020-05-14 13:00:42
This is indeed very helpful for all of us,now and the future.
2020-05-14 13:00:42
2020-05-14 13:01:02
It is unfortunate that companies have had to declare staff redundant in some cases. Could it be that the vicious cycle of cash flow is causing this? For example if you have customers who are badly affected and can't pay you in this season it causes a serious cashflow issue for you and it means you and your team will struggle
2020-05-14 13:01:02
2020-05-14 13:04:03
On point number 4, what happens when the employer is not in a position to meet the salary notice and any other outstanding dues?. (i.e.Under the current circumstances where the pandemic has literary pushed the businesses out of operations)
2020-05-14 13:04:03
2020-05-14 13:04:09
I believe so Ms.Angela cash flow is really an issue for us SME's right now..I guess its times like this a business emergency fund is necessary to a business
2020-05-14 13:04:09
2020-05-14 13:04:47
Also, is there any law that covers companies in this season? Reason being that if there are no revenues for a company it is difficult for the company to compensate all the staff as per law. Wonder if there's any fund in Kenya to cover businesses in this season
2020-05-14 13:04:47
2020-05-14 13:07:37
It's true that businesses are risk and are having challenges with cash flow and also unable to meet contractual obligations. Part of the solutions is to re-negotiate contracts with various suppliers and also financiers where moratoriums will come in. Staff payments can also be negotiated and paid in installments.
2020-05-14 13:07:37
2020-05-14 13:10:52
There's also the unpaid leave option available to businesses and this has actually been strengthened by the MoU comprising of the Ministry for Labour, FKE and COTU. A copy of which will be uploaded on this chat archive.
2020-05-14 13:10:52
2020-05-14 13:14:51
Currently, there's no specific Government Fund to support businesses. The Government has only come up with interventions including 1. VAT reduction 2. Turnover Tax reduction 3. Collaborations with banks on waiver of mobile transaction fees, PesaLink and the moratoriums on loans.
2020-05-14 13:14:51
2020-05-14 13:18:12
Currently there's no Law but there's a Bill in the Senate called the Pandemic Response and Management Bill. It proposes relief for businesses on loans, contractual obligations, tenancy obligations and safeguarding of employment.
2020-05-14 13:18:12
2020-05-14 13:19:32
Thanks so much Raimond. The advise is very helpful
2020-05-14 13:19:32
2020-05-14 13:20:31
Hi
2020-05-14 13:20:31
2020-05-14 13:21:54
Thank you so much honouring our invitation and for the engagement. This is a continual conversation as the pandemic situation unfolds. We will be available for more conversations in this area in the coming days. Are there any final comments or questions?
2020-05-14 13:21:54
2020-05-14 13:22:14
Thanks a lot Raimond. You have been very helpful.This information is very timely for this season.
2020-05-14 13:22:14
2020-05-14 13:22:43
Hi Njoki, thank you for joining albeit late
2020-05-14 13:22:43
2020-05-14 13:23:28
Just to second the moderator on saying thanks to you Mr.Raimond for the insights
2020-05-14 13:23:28
2020-05-14 13:24:32
Njoki, what your thoughts in this area, you are welcome to share or ask
2020-05-14 13:24:32
2020-05-14 13:25:12
Hey, thanks. Greeting to all, and Mr. Molonje. Apologies for being late. Please where can I get the transcript of the chat.
2020-05-14 13:25:12
2020-05-14 13:26:32
Thank you everyone for joining the chat and participating. We especially thank our host Mr. Raimond Molenje for his insights
2020-05-14 13:26:32
2020-05-14 13:28:06
We will be closing the chatroom but those who joined late are welcome to download the chat the transcript on today's chat from the website even afterwards
2020-05-14 13:28:06
2020-05-14 13:30:54
Thankyou
2020-05-14 13:30:54
2020-05-14 13:31:09
Unfortunately for agriculture, this is not very direct, except for input prices. I hope we can really support farmers to support in this period.
2020-05-14 13:31:09
2020-05-14 13:31:14
The transcript will be available on the mentorship forum link. All you will need to do is log into the Inuka sme website, come back to the mentorship forum page and click on enter chatroom; and you will be redirected to a page with the chat details and a transcript download link
2020-05-14 13:31:14
2020-05-14 13:33:11
Thanks everyone and have a good evening
2020-05-14 13:33:11
Exit
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