As we continue to receive daily and hourly updates regarding COVID-19, otherwise referred to as the coronavirus, the health and safety of our clients, customers, employees and contractors remain our first and highest priority. It’s both our obligation and responsibility to communicate what we continue to do to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and protect our customers and our employees who are in their homes each day.

Below are several initiatives we have implemented and continue to evaluate to ensure we’re in compliance with all World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations:

• We have developed a readiness team of senior executives, including our head of risk, who is in constant communication with our insurance and risk advisors.  This team is meeting throughout each day to ensure our team internally is updated and aligned to best serve our customers while keeping safety at the forefront.  Communication to our internal employees and clients is being sent out as we receive updates from local, state and federal governments as well as the CDC and WHO about COVID-19.  This team is also equipped to roll out various stages of action based on regulations, recommendations and our volume outlook.
• All of our office employees are working from home, effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  Any travel whatsoever is banned at this time.  Clients and customers continue to have access to their Client Services representative or Move Coordinator 24/7 should they have questions or need to share updates, which we actively encourage.
• All mission-critical team members, including those in Operations and who work as crew members and Van Operators, will continue to work as usual, with extra precautions taken to ensure social distancing and proper COVID-19 guidelines are followed. We are ensuring all of our mission-critical Operations employees working in our customers’ homes or offices have appropriate face masks/coverings to prevent transmission of potential germs.
• We are replenishing our crew members’ and Van Operators’ health kits as needed to ensure they have an ample supply of hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes and antibacterial soap to use in their trucks and in our customers’ homes and offices each day. They are sanitizing any commonly touched surface in the truck and/or home or office.
• Any team member who feels or appears ill is instructed to stay home. Any crew member, driver or other employee who feels ill or has any symptoms whatsoever is quarantining for 14 days, and anyone who was in contact with that potentially ill person is also being quarantined for 14 days.  These employees must have a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to work.
• While we are open for business as usual, we understand customers may be uncomfortable with moving at this time.  We are making every accommodation possible to reschedule these moves for an agreeable date.

While we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in any of our office locations, we feel it is all of our responsibilities to stop the spread of the coronavirus and take these steps in the short term to benefit our society as a whole in the long run.  It is our commitment to continue sharing any developments in our business, including anything that would affect our normal operations.

We believe these uncertain times offer us opportunities to practice true partnership, and we are committed to working together to ensure the health and safety of both our clients and employees.

Best Regards,

Charles W. McDaniel

President & CEO, Hilldrup

Mike Nash Author