OAKLAND GROUP - We Are Restarting With A New Way Of Working!

​A copy of our 27 April 2020 announcement is shown below.


We do hope you are all well despite the continued challenges.
Whilst our business is not a mandated ‘closed business’ (in line with the Government list) we took the decision to stand down and see how things developed.  
It is becoming increasingly clear that the ‘normal life’ we all used to enjoy will be vastly different.   It’s our belief that until vaccines are rolled out we will be faced with many new ways of living and working together.  Therefore we’ve looked at what a new ‘normal’ should look like for us.  
Despite what is being said (and what is being done in other countries) we feel the notion of a simple end to ‘lockdown’ is fading fast. The initial three weeks lockdown that then continued looks like it has no immediate end and we predicted a staged unlocking at the end of May.
We know so many of you are impacted and also need our services work.  Like many others our livelihoods, our services and future options are all impacted.  However, we can’t sit idle and wait so we’ve been thinking and discussing all options about new ways of working for you and with each other.  

Our Outdoor Services Business
We see the ‘one man band’ trade operators continuing.  Plumbers, window cleaners, gardeners, kitchen fitters, tree surgeons, etc.   We see small teams working together.  Often they involve entering homes or working in close proximity with each other. 
(Of course like many we also see some flagrant unsafe practices occurring and some businesses just completely ignoring the guidelines!)
However, of more importance we see outdoor construction work recommencing in the largest businesses. We see their teams operating but with the new social distancing practice. 
Our business is virtually identical. It is outdoor work with people who can keep apart from each other.  We have no indoor services work.  We never need to enter a property to carry out our  services.   It’s taken time for those larger businesses to adjust and we now feel we can do the same. 

Our Analysis
We have carried out our own analysis from the current guidelines, new behaviours, similar industries etc.
Following that work we believe we can recommence our outdoor work in a safe and responsible manner.  Clearly this must be subject to customer acceptance and needs.

Our Pledge
With this in mind and with the absolute agreement of you, our customer, we are prepared to re-engage our work with your agreement wherever we feel we can do work safely.  Of course we may not be able to secure materials for some work so please bear with us.
The range of services we provide from tree surgery through hedge cutting/trimming to basic construction work for patios and fences, regular maintenance etc will all be recommenced in a staged manner.
As part of our ‘new’ normal we make two simple pledges. 
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• That we will observe the social distancing between everyone in the same way as construction businesses are doing
• ​That we are comfortable adopting new social behaviors with you whereby, if you feel the need, you stay indoors whenever we are on site.  

We recognise that in the past you often want to engage with us personally on site.  We can moderate our behaviour to a ‘new normal’.  
We feel that we can work just as purposefully with yourselves behind closed doors.  Yes, it will be alien as a social behavior but we know it will work and feel people are more comfortable with the new behaviours now.  We have mobile phones we can use to communicate when needed.  If you feel you need to observe then often that can be done from inside through windows or patio doors etc.

Your Commitment
Despite all this we will need your commitment and agreement that you are comfortable with us working outdoors at your premises; and a commitment from you to help us keep safe.   
Similarly if you start to feel unwell or have been diagnosed with COVID19 we’d appreciate you letting us know.  We don’t feel it will change our practices and we may be able to continue; but better we know before we attend your premises.  If in doubt please contact us and we can discuss any practical measures for containment.

Catching Up
We do have some catch up work to do that was in hand and/or in the diary prior to the initial lockdown.  So as we start to get on top of the backlog and reschedule we will contact you but please feel free to drop us a note if you wish.
Finally I hope this update is seen as constructive and positive and we all look forward to getting back to what will be our ‘new normal’.