SOCIETY

At Qualco Group, the health and safety of our people is a strategic priority. For this reason, right from the beginning of the pandemic, we considered it our duty to defend in every way, the health and safety of our 500 plus employees. We acted promptly and flexibly in an unprecedented health crisis, based on our values and our human-centered culture. We ensured everyone's health and the smooth operation of the group, we actually listened to our people, who trusted us and justified us with the results of our actions.

The Group's IT department undertook the demanding task of remote work and the provision of equipment to all employees in the context of which, for the convenience of our partners, we undertook the dispatch of the necessary equipment to the homes of those who needed it, while we also contracted with a specific e- shop for ordering equipment directly from our partners. At the same time, we implemented the appropriate communication networks (collaborative tools) and their interconnection with all the group's systems. Everyday life, however, functionally had much more complex challenges than technology. We quickly understood that technology was the tool to ensure the smooth functioning of the organization, but functionally, psychologically, emotionally we were not ready for such a daily life.

Therefore, we worked to draw up a comprehensive plan for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, which we communicated to the employees and collaborators (partners, visitors) of the Group.

Specifically:

1. We have drawn up and communicated a detailed COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan to all group employees, with detailed procedures and instructions to minimize the transmission of the virus, the effective management of suspected and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19, which do not need further hospitalization, as well as the limitation of the disease in the wider community (family, social environment, etc.).
2. We have installed a thermal camera at the entrance of our offices to prevent the entry of employees with symptoms of COVID-19.
3. We performed PCR Tests at the premises of the company and the partner diagnostic center

• At a cost borne entirely by the company, we conducted PCR Tests on all staff working at the company's facilities (in two building complexes), twice a week during the first year of the pandemic, and once a week thereafter.
• The process included detailed information to the employees about the days and times of sampling, sampling at our facilities with absolute observance of the prevention measures, as determined by the Ministry of Health and the EODY, analysis of the samples at a recognized diagnostic center, and sending the results to employees' personal e-mails.
• With a view to complying with the personal data legislation (GDPR), and in collaboration with legal counsel as well as with the GDPR Officer, an agreement was drawn up that was signed by all participants during the sampling process. In addition, in each sampling, a corresponding agreement was signed by the diagnostic center that undertook the sampling and the analysis of the samples.
• In the case of a positive sample, the diagnostic center initially informed the employee, and then contacted the Health & Safety department, which contacted the EODY and the employee to provide any counseling or other assistance. Afterwards, the HR department and IT were informed about the functional coverage of the needs of the employee and the department to which he belonged (consulting services, submissions for illnesses, remote work, provision of equipment, etc.).
• All employees of the group had free access to PCR Tests at the facilities of the collaborating laboratory, in the event that they could not attend the regularly scheduled samplings within our building facilities.
• Also, the relatives (1st degree) of the employees had access to free PCR tests, in case there was a case in the immediate family environment, while they enjoyed an agreed preferential price for tests for preventive reasons.

4. Conducting Rapid Tests in our offices for partners, visitors, employees

After the first half of the pandemic, we identified that it was imperative to take further measures to protect workers. In this context, we have included in our force a specialist service company Rapid Tests, within the central offices of the group on a twelve-hour basis (08:00-20:00), every day and every working day. Rapid tests were performed daily by the staff of the group's cooperating companies (cleaning and security companies) before entering the building, visitors, but also all employees who either themselves or someone from their immediate environment had shown symptoms.

5. Floorplans, Increasing telecommuting

Beyond the self-evident observance of the legislation for protection against COVID-19, the group also proceeded with further measures:

• Preparation of detailed Floorplans, with the integration of all current legislation, for the percentage of telework and the correct distances between workplaces.
• Exceeded required telecommuting rate (group reached 80%+ telecommuting rate, when maximum required was at 60%).

6. Communication and information program

In collaboration with the HR department, we designed and conducted a satisfaction survey regarding the operation of the organization during the quarantine, in order to identify the issues that concern and/or satisfy our employees, strengthening the communication channels, both at the level of regular information, as well as in terms of support.

We conducted an information campaign about the disease and the benefits of vaccination, drawing material from authoritative scientific media, international and Greek health organizations, while we organized webinars with invited doctors and scientists, in order to answer questions and concerns of employees. We provided incentives for vaccination, which amounted to 90% of employees.

• We sent out instructions and organized Webinars about the new working conditions and remote work-related health and safety in the home areas.
• We have posted safety guidelines and rules in common areas and offices.

While the pandemic continued and having covered the basic needs of the employees and the operation of the organization, we were faced with softer issues that concerned our people and burdened their daily lives. Needs beyond purely professional, tools, communications, access. Needs that, in addition to being strictly professional, were also much more personal, different for everyone, but decisive for all of us to continue to be healthy - physically, mentally and emotionally - focused and efficient.

Issues arose such as remote team management, time management and the balance of personal and professional life, the functioning of the family in the new context, loneliness and social exclusion that burdened the mood of all of us, fear and anxiety about our lives , for our work, for our future and that of the planet. Everyone's morale was shaken, the different everyday life brought to the surface marginalized, often unknown and certainly soul-destroying issues.

For this reason, we offered within the first days of the implementation of universal telecommuting, the possibility of accessing a 24-hour Psychological Support Telephone Line and Online Counseling Sessions, through Hellas EAP for all employees, as well as their family members. At Qualco Group, we believe that direct access to specialized counselors can work over time as a supportive tool for managing emotional tension and controlling stress.

Wanting to increase the use of the service, we organized a presentation for the entire group, with the participation of the Management, which was attended by 2/3 of our employees. In addition, we organized CyberTalks (week 1/15), with topics such as: "Calmness & Self-care", "Back to the new normal", etc., which were evaluated by our partners as very useful and helpful (96% of the participants evaluated as positive the specific investment of the company, after their participation in a relevant questionnaire).

In addition, we organized online outreach programs on a variety of topics related to improving employee wellness.

• We kept an open line of communication with all employees who needed help at any level. Depending on the situation and the nature of the issue, an on-call partner was always available, either from HR or H&S.
• We organized:

a. First Aid seminars, with the aim of expanding knowledge and maximizing safety within the workplace.

b. Online programs (wellness webinars), with topics around fitness and well-being (cooking, yoga, gymnastics, etc.), dealing with musculoskeletal problems and healthy eating with specialist physiotherapists and nutritionists

• We have partnered with a specialist doctor in matters related to COVID-19, providing a 24/7 hotline for all employees.

Back to the office

The Qualco group, respecting the families and personal needs of its employees, was one of the few companies that gave freedom of choice to return, based on the research we conducted, as we felt it was the right step at the given time. In this context, we have made sure that all partners have detailed information about our final plan of rotating back to the office, which we have chosen as the safest. Excluding those people who said they did not wish to return, our workers were divided into 2 groups, with each group working in rotation, one week from the company's premises, and the next remotely. We proceeded to map the company premises, in order to see which positions are suitable for work, observing the necessary distances. Based on this plan, we continue our work even today.

• Among these measures, we include the universal disinfection of our facilities on a weekly basis (which started before the lockdown and continues until today), the enhanced cleanliness of our premises, throughout the day, as well as the immediacy of communication with our occupational doctor. Of course, antiseptics, disposable masks and special bins have been placed in all areas.
• We have added to our staff a specialized nurse to deal with emergencies, as well as prevention against COVID-19, with emergency rapid tests.

At Qualco Group, we are really proud of the sense of trust we have inspired in our people, which is reflected in the results of the satisfaction surveys we have conducted since the beginning of the pandemic until today, in the large number of tests we have conducted (around 20,500 tests) and of course, in the proportionally limited number of cases we have recorded.

Today, having overcome the great danger and entering the next phase stronger and more aware, we feel proud both for our people, who responded to this new condition, and for us who stood by them. Taking stock of this challenging undertaking, which was achieved thanks to the coordination and cooperation of the departments involved (H&S, HR and IT), we laid the foundations for a new, functional and safe working normality, which is based on direct communication, good cooperation and decisive and substantial interventions.

We conducted an information campaign about the disease and the benefits of vaccination, drawing material from authoritative scientific media, international and Greek health organizations, while we organized webinars with invited doctors and scientists, in order to answer questions and concerns of employees. We provided incentives for vaccination, which amounted to 90% of employees.

We sent out instructions and organized Webinars on the new working conditions and remote work-related health and safety in the home areas

We have posted safety guidelines and rules in common areas and offices.

While the pandemic continued and having covered the basic needs of the employees and the operation of the organization, we were faced with softer issues that concerned our people and burdened their daily lives. Needs beyond purely professional, tools, communications, access. Needs that, in addition to being strictly professional, were also much more personal, different for everyone, but decisive for all of us to continue to be healthy - physically, mentally and emotionally - focused and efficient.

Issues arose such as remote team management, time management and the balance of personal and professional life, the functioning of the family in the new context, loneliness and social exclusion that burdened the mood of all of us, fear and anxiety about our lives , for our work, for our future and that of the planet. Everyone's morale was shaken, the different everyday life brought to the surface marginalized, often unknown and certainly soul-destroying issues.

For this reason, we offered within the first days of the implementation of universal telecommuting, the possibility of accessing a 24-hour Psychological Support Telephone Line and Online Counseling Sessions, through Hellas EAP for all employees, as well as their family members. At Qualco Group, we believe that direct access to specialized counselors can work over time as a supportive tool for managing emotional tension and controlling stress.

Wanting to increase the use of the service, we organized a presentation for the entire group, with the participation of the Management, which was attended by 2/3 of our employees. In addition, we organized CyberTalks (week 1/15), with topics such as: "Calmness & Self-care", "Back to the new normal", etc., which were evaluated by our partners as very useful and helpful (96% of the participants evaluated as positive the specific investment of the company, after their participation in a relevant questionnaire).

In addition, we organized online outreach programs on a variety of topics related to improving employee wellness.

We kept an open line of communication with all employees who needed help at any level. Depending on the situation and the nature of the issue, an on-call partner was always available, either from HR or H&S.
We organized:

First Aid seminars, with the aim of expanding knowledge and maximizing safety within the workplace.
Online programs (wellness webinars), with topics around fitness and well-being (cooking, yoga, gymnastics, etc.), dealing with musculoskeletal problems and healthy eating with specialist physiotherapists and nutritionists

We have partnered with a specialist doctor in matters related to COVID-19, providing a 24/7 hotline for all employees.