PwC Greece’s response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Effective 1 May 2020

Since the beginning of the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which rapidly evolved into a significant challenge for the entire world, the safety of our people has been our top priority and continues to be our main focus, while maintaining high quality services for our clients. As we now enter the second phase with gradual deconfinement measures being implemented, PwC Greece continues to take considered actions in line with those indicated by the National Public Health Organization (EODY)   to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of our people, clients, guests, suppliers and contractors.

In these new circumstances, we continue to understand the importance and benefits of managing resilient and recoverable operations to service our clients. We have designed the most important aspects of how we deliver client service to be fault tolerant, minimizing any single points of failure. From how we use technology, operate engagement teams and utilize internal PwC services, our operations are highly resilient and secure. We recognise however that even enhanced resilience has its limitations. 

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, PwC has proved to have an established Business Continuity Management Program to prepare, respond, and recover from various types of operational threats as well as a business continuity management system that is independently assessed and certified to: ISO 22301:2012, the International Standard for Business Continuity, to reduce the potential impact of a pandemic event on client work.

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The measures taken during the Phase One lockdown (14/3-04/5) are set out here.

Phase Two. Greece gradual deconfinement effective 4 May 2020.

Overview of the safeguards that PwC has implemented to minimise the potential impact:

  • Our key strategy is for the minimization of presence at the office and at clients’ premises to the greatest extent that is practically possible and have therefore extended remote working for our employees. Our technology tools enable us to continue serving our clients minimising any disruption.

  • In line with current deconfinement measures issued by EODY, we have planned our progressive return to the new norm, while remote work remains the preferred option. Our current plans include:
    • Prioritized work to limit presence at the office and at client sites following Leadership decisions which are based on specific business and people needs, and are monitored by carefully designed procedures.
    • Increased Sanitary Measures, which include, inter alia, providing our employees with necessary equipment (masks, gloves, sanitizers) and guidance on their use.
    • Specific guidance on the use of the available working areas in specifically designated spaces in order to meet the physical distancing principles and guidelines issued by EODY.
    • Strict rules for authorized access to our buildings and the use of common areas, including elevators.
    • Encouraging our people to use private transportation by increasing availability of parking spaces in our buildings.
    • The above plans will be regularly reviewed based on developments and any further guidance from the Government Authorities and EODY. 
  • Monitoring of any cases of virus spread on a daily basis and mapping emerging clusters of cases to take actions.

 

  • PwC people who have come into direct contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case are required to isolate themselves at home and monitor their health for 14 days from the time of contact.
  • During these periods of isolation, our people are also advised to monitor their health condition and seek medical consultation, or medical care, in line with EODY guidelines.

  • We have reviewed various scenarios with our crisis team and stakeholders in preparation for possible PwC cases and other types of impacts.

  • Establishment of a support network (e.g., Emergency Hotline, Global Security team, local office leaders) for questions, guidance or to report potential exposure.

  • Launch of a centralized task force to manage our Pandemic Business Continuity Crisis Team and an internal COVID-19 microsite for all updates and questions. The microsite is regularly updated with advice and guidance on how our people can help prevent the spread of the virus, while looking after each other and continuing to serve our clients.

  • Commitment to providing clean, safe spaces in our offices through regular disinfections to all our buildings, availability of hand sanitizers and disinfectants distributed in all our offices. 

  • Not permitting visitors' presence to our offices and only considering specific situations upon Senior Leadership approval.  In such cases appropriate monitoring measures and mechanisms are in place. 

  • Communication with our suppliers and service partners to confirm that they have appropriate plans and arrangements in place to ensure the continuity of the supply of goods and services to PwC.

 

 

Working with clients to safeguard the health and safety of our people

 

  • Our Clients will make their own decisions about the arrangements they put in place to minimize the potential impacts of a spread of COVID-19, as required by the Greek Government guidelines and their own plans. Those arrangements may impact the way we work with them. We respect the decisions our clients make and, where possible, PwC will be agile in finding solutions to overcome the inevitable challenges. 

  • If a client closes their office, we continue to work remotely, in line with our “Remote Work” Policy. If this has an impact on client work other working arrangements are made in consultation with the client.

  • We aim at limited presence of PwC people at client sites, but if this is necessary we ensure that the client environment maintains precautions and working conditions in line with EODY guidance, by following a client preparedness assessment process.

  • Employees are required to report situations where confirmed preparedness is not followed, as well as situations of real or suspected infection incidents to the Firm, so that appropriate action and communication with clients takes place.

  • Employees working at client sites are provided with sanitary equipment similar to that when working at our premises.

  • If you are an organization with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 and PwC clients or people may be affected, we ask that you immediately contact your preferred PwC contact or complete the below enquiry form.

 

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Clients, guests, suppliers and contractors attending external PwC hosted events

PwC Greece meetings, events with clients, guests, suppliers and contractors hosted outside our offices, have been postponed in line with EODY guidance, till further notice.

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Travel restrictions and meeting policies

  • In consultation with EODY, the Firm’s workplace doctor and the PwC Global Security team, we are continuously updating our travel restrictions and meeting policies, accordingly.

  • Business travel to all destinations (both domestic & international) is postponed until further notice. 

  • In situations where our people have travelled for personal reasons additional precautionary measures apply.

 

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Simeon Trimeritis

Manager, PwC Greece

Tel: +30 210 8114160

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