Aviva cuts staff meetings in bid to avoid Coronavirus spread

Insurer Aviva has called a halt to all non-essential external meetings in order to minimise the potential spread of Coronavirus.

A spokesperson at the organisation confirmed: “We are taking a prudent approach to protecting our employees and business, so have a number of precautionary measures in place, in line with general advice, to limit the potential spread of the virus.”

This includes “avoiding large team meetings” and “trying to minimise face-to-face contact between employees from different Aviva sites”.

Prudent approach

In conjunction with this, last week Aviva stopped all business travel to high-risk locations and restricted all other staff work trips.

Even employees whose partners have visited high-risk areas have been told to self-isolate and work from home.

The strict stance came after an Aviva worker was told she would need to quarantine herself and work from home for two weeks if her husband went to Rome this month to watch the rugby match between Italy and England.

According to the Eastern Daily Press, a close friend of the employee, who did not want to be named, said: “Apparently his wife has been told that the official Aviva instruction is that if he does this, then she will have to take two weeks off on his return.”

Market-wide

Zurich, on the other hand, are telling employees to “use their discretion” around third-party meetings.

A spokesperson said: ”As the safety and wellbeing of our employees is a top priority, we are asking staff scheduled to attend events organised by third parties to use their discretion. We continue to fully adhere to the latest Public Health Guidance and are taking all necessary precautions to protect our employees and ensure the continuity of operations.”  

Meanwhile Allianz isn’t imposing any additional rules for staff on attending meetings or events, but the organisation is constantly reviewing the coronavirus risk status. The firm told Insurance Times: ”Allianz Insurance does not currently have any additional restrictions on UK domestic travel. This situation is under constant review in line with Government and Allianz Group guidelines, as the welfare of our colleagues is our primary concern.”

AXA is concurring with Aviva’s stance. Its spokesperson told Insurance Times: ”We are minimising non-essential business meetings as a precautionary measure.”