It's only Monday and Simon is having one of those weeks. Usually this news wouldn't go down too well. But we're the lucky ones. It is now our responsibility to help keep things alive...
Hi Guys,
I hope you are well and keeping healthy.
As you know the Coronavirus epidemic is a constantly evolving situation. What we are looking at now is the possibility that KERB will soon be in a position whereby we cannot operate any markets or events as there will be no demand or we are prevented from doing so by the government.
We are in a stronger position than most in that we started this crisis with significant cash reserves, however, a business cannot survive forever with no income.
Our absolute priority is ensuring that KERB survives this and there is a business still standing when things return to ‘normal’.
In order to do this, we have this morning decided to put in place the following measures:
And from April 1st we are going to have to ask everyone at KERB to switch to a four-day working week during April and May - which be paid pro-rata - I am aware that this is a big ask, but by all sharing a little bit of the pain, the hope is we do not have to make anyone redundant and everyone will still be here when things bounce back.
I am going to assume that everyone is on board with this, if you are not, please let me know ASAP. For this to work it needs everyone's buy-in.
Once the four-day working week kicks in, you will need to agree with your line manager which day each week you are not working.
Your line managers will also be in touch with the amount of unused holiday you have remaining and you will be asked to use it over the next few weeks.
I am really sorry to be having to do this, but by being sensible and cutting costs now we will live to fight another day.
More to follow on Friday (the team meeting may be live-streamed so you can still work from home) or as and when things change based on government advice.
Any questions - please feel free to call or email me.
Simon