Ben Kettell, Author at MVIS Ltd

MVIS/Bartco UK joins forces with 360 Vision Technology for road safety technology development

Posted on 24th June 2020 at 11:17 am.

UK companies MVIS/Bartco UK and 360 Vision Technology, have joined forces on a technology innovation that sees the integration of 360 Vision’s Invictus CCTV with our Solar IP, giving rise to a whole new intelligent, solar-powered, trailer-based IP video surveillance platform.

Commenting on the initiative and technology partnership, Matt Felce from MVIS/Bartco UK stated: “We have been a market leader in the supply of trailer based variable message sign solutions for many years, and with IP technologies becoming more ‘power efficient’ we saw both the opportunity and gap in the market to further develop our solution to incorporate an IP camera, which delivered unrivalled video quality and IR lighting, whilst being portable and solar powered.

This new product boasts an incredibly clear picture and performs excellently in low light conditions. 360 Vision have delivered a camera that is low in power demands but still offers an HD image, allowing the Research & Development Team at Bartco UK to work on integrating a power source in the form of our Solar IP.

The Invictus HD camera itself offers a fully ruggedized housing, with exceptional build quality. The toughened optical glass window features a wiper and its Pan & Tilt gearbox is ultra-reliable and resilient. The defining feature, however, could be argued to be its integrated high-performance IR lights with intelligent control, which enables its powerful performance in low light conditions.

As a result of the low power demands of this unit, it is able to perform to extended run times, filling a strong market requirement for a CCTV product that is also portable, solar powered and has a much clearer image than seen in previous solutions on the market.

It also allows for an effective integration with our Solar IP, which is a trailer-based solar power source that can provide appropriate technologies the opportunity of portability.

Tony Holloway, Business Development Manager at 360 Vision Technology said: “We are delighted to have worked in partnership with MVIS/Bartco UK on this leading edge, technology development project. The automatic power management capability of our rugged PTZ cameras results in minimal power demand at all times. Couple this with the option for programmable power level IR and white Light illumination, tailoring the solution to the remotest locations, further enhances the camera performance whilst minimising additional power requirements. This really does lend itself to this type of revolutionary, off-grid solution. Technology partnerships like this really do ‘underpin’ and showcase 360 Vision’s flexible product credentials.”

Matt continues: “In order to deliver a solution which really did meet all the requirements, we considered it extremely important for us to work with a UK manufacturer that could both advise and support us through the development process. Whilst currently being deployed in the traffic sector, the current applications for this are far-reaching. What’s more is that under the conditions seen due to COVID-19, this unit fulfils an even bigger market need in the name of high definition surveillance for safety. This really is UK engineering at its best.”

For more information about this unit, please contact us via our contact form.

Alternatively, you can call us on 01629 580 570 to speak to one of our friendly team, or you can email us via sales@m-vis.co.uk.

You can contact 360 Vision Technology on 01928 570 000, email: info@360visiontechnology.com, or visit their website at https://www.360visiontechnology.com

Resolve – an IT partner you can rely on

Posted on 9th June 2020 at 3:35 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

Despite working from home, MVIS and Bartco UK staff have been able to take their offices with them and carry on with their daily tasks, and it is partly thanks to Resolve that we are able to continue to carry on providing the highest quality service possible during the uncertain times which we are currently facing.

Resolve work with hundreds of SMEs and have seen firsthand the huge challenges companies have overcome in order to keep business afloat in response to COVID-19. During this time, having a reliable IT partner is more imperative than ever.

Here at MVIS and Bartco UK, our IT systems are crucial to the business, as for the most part our departments rely on being able to access documents and essential programs as well as contact customers, suppliers and staff members easily.

By using Resolve as our IT support, we have been able to move most of our operations to a home setting with the exception of our delivery and warehouse team. Our systems were already online through our Cloud Server, which Resolve host, but there were issues with hardware that needed a quick solution and Resolve were on hand to help our staff and keep our team online so we can maintain the high standards we are proud to promote.

They have not only helped us to be fully operational under the new government rules, they have also made it possible for us to communicate within departments through video calls by setting us up on the communications platform, Microsoft Teams, which also allows us to communicate with 3rd parties who are also working from home.

World Environment Day 2020

Posted on 5th June 2020 at 3:36 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

On World Environment Day 2020, we take the opportunity to reflect on our past, present and future goals in terms of the environment. Whilst we are more than proud of the procedures that we have in place and the achievements that we have been presented with, we understand that more can always be done.

In 2017, MVIS were awarded with the ISO accreditation in environmental management (14001:2015) and we were very pleased to say that in early 2020, this, along with ISO accreditations in quality (9001:2015) and health & safety (45001:2018) had been re-certified. Representative of our commitment to these highly important aspects of our business, the ISO accreditations together furnish us with a full IMS (integrated management system), integrating our systems and processes into one complete framework.

Despite this, we don’t rest on our laurels; we are always on the look out for ways that we can improve our impact on the environment, as we believe that it is vital for business to take into consideration their social responsibility on the environment so we can all work towards a cleaner and safer world.

Not only do we take the time to educate ourselves on how the distribution side of the company can have an impact on the environment, but we also look into sustainable ways which we can make a positive impact on the area that we have around us. At our Matlock HQ we home a beehive and a flower plot in order to give back to the local area as it gives to us. Local wildlife has an instrumental part to play in ensuring the environments durability, to take advantage of the safe haven which we have created for them.

On Boxing Day 2019, we decided to take a more modern approach on eliminating waste created at home during Christmas, asking staff to bring card and paper to the depot where it was recycled appropriately. We encouraged our staff to dispose of their boxes through us to ensure that they didn’t end up in landfill.

Although actions like these seem minute, they have a large impact on the environment, especially when considered together. By educating our staff on the importance of recycling, we hope that we can encourage a more positive mind set in their home lives as well.

As for our carbon footprint, we use flat bed transit vans for deliveries as these allow us to deliver multiple units in one trip which reduces the fuel consumption as well. Indeed, we have even been working on a new trailer that can accommodate up to 6 of our new HD Compact V.2 units in this endeavour.

When performing maintenance checks or battery changes, we ensure to visit all units in the area or on the way in order to keep on top of every unit, minimising double trips to the same location when necessary.

In-House Teamwork and Training makes the Dream Work

Posted on 5th June 2020 at 3:36 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

Here at MVIS and Bartco UK we believe that quality starts with staff and our staff retention is something that we take pride in. With 5 staff members continuing after a completed apprenticeship, two currently undertaking apprenticeships and a further 1 to become a manager after joining us at only 18, when we say that we take pride in our staff and the team that we have built, it’s not an understatement.

One of Bartco UK’s apprentices, Pip Wood in purchasing for example, has almost finished her first-year apprenticeship and works under the support of Rebecca Prince, our Purchasing & Stock Control Supervisor. Pip has already been awarded Employee of the Month this year and together, her and Rebecca ensure that we have the correct supply of stock in order for the workshop team to be able to complete works and refurbish units at a fast and efficient rate.

The last year has brought in some major staff changes for our organisation. Towards the end of 2020, we brought out marketing department in-house, promoting Tillie Woolliscroft from Operations to Marketing Assistant as well as hiring Sean Brown as marketing manager. This has allowed us to progress in-house and develop a more modern approach to marketing.

After all, who better to promote the business then the business itself?

Likewise, our operations team saw changes too. Our operations manager, Dom Bridge has been with us for over 5 years and is now passing his knowledge to Mizzy Watson who joined the team last year. With this, Mizzy has also joined our delivery team during on-site maintenance checks, deliveries and battery changes in safe, inner city areas.

Ensuring our staff all understand the workings of both the industry and in-house operations is a large factor in our staff training, this is so all of our staff can have a greater appreciation of the business and offer a positive experience to our customers. As demonstrated with Sean / Tillie, Dom / Mizzy and Bec / Pip, we maintain a strong company ethos of passing training down from management to every corner of the business. This ensures that the level of training is of the highest quality for each member of staff.

With all of our in-house departments supporting one another, it is crucial to understand how each role contributes to the other. For example, our Operations team are on hand day and night to help with any customer needs or advice. Because of this, it is vital that they have the correct knowledge so that they can be as much help as possible.

Not only do we encourage our team to contribute to other departments, we also hold staff training at least once a month when possible in order to maintain a positive relationship and renew aspects of training. Being divided between 3 depots that provide coverage to the whole UK can take its toll if not managed correctly.

These training sessions regularly cover important aspects such as safety, mental heath, production and development. Training meetings don’t only improve our staff’s knowledge within the business, but also encourage everyone to join in with new ideas or potential development which is not only beneficial to staff morale but also encourages team building. These meetings are how we can constantly improve our services both externally and internally.

Since bringing our marketing in-house, we have noticed an astonishing improvement in our nation-wide coverage as well as being able to be more interactive with our customers and followers. We feel that this has strengthened our external relationships as we have been able to work directly with partners and engage with followers on a daily basis.

Bringing marketing in-house also allows us to transcend traditional role divisions and work more efficiently as a team towards shared goals. Having a daily update on new contracts, potential customers or new solutions allows the company respond to changes quickly. There is more depth to a business than its departments and we believe that our staff understand that, which is why we can proudly promote award winning customer service from every corner of our company.

Our in-house teams have never worked better together, striving to make our customer’s lives easier by hiring with us.

MVIS/Bartco UK is an organisation that can tackle any challenge thrown our way, which we have proven time and time again both with our customers and our staff, proving our reliability.

We are only as good as our staff, and we are more than proud of the team that we have built and strengthened over the years.

Setting customer expectations with ITS technology

Posted on 29th May 2020 at 1:15 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

As the world changes in response to COVID-19, our use of technology changes with it, offering new and helpful ways to not only combat the virus, but also offering new ways we can live with it.

MVIS have been working hard with a wide range of industries to develop new products using our technology in order to help with the effort, establishing ground-breaking solutions for problems that didn’t exist in such scale only a few months ago.

One industry we have been working very closely with is the retail sector, who, in the wake of this have very different technological requirements to what they had only a few months ago. In a world with COVID-19, the retail industry has a big responsibility to society to do what they can to ensure that the virus is not being spread in their buildings.

As a result, stores around the country have started to adapt, installing measures to help enforce social distancing as well as for a range of other requirements. Needs related to increased demand with Click and Collect, new queuing systems and even communicating specific information such as ‘card payments only’ have become, at least in the short term, a huge priority for these businesses.

In identifying these needs, MVIS and Bartco UK developed a solution and offer a wider range of products that can help with these issues. Possibly the biggest issue logistically that retail stores currently have is in relation to queue management. It is a well-known occurrence that increased queue time can also increase frustration and anxiety in customers, which is not ideal customer psychology, especially when shoppers are already anxious and nervous.

Providing waiting customers with estimated queue wait times has already been proven successful in traffic management applications and the events industry, however it’s not usually an issue faced by the retail industry. With this in mind, our new Queue Management Solution offers the retail industry a solid solution under COVID-19 conditions using our range of VMS.

The Queue Management Solution uses our dual-colour HD Compact VMS (variable message sign) to communicate queue wait times to waiting customers in conjunction with our solar powered VMS-A to communicate information to drivers. The HD Compact’s portability and small footprint makes it an ideal queue management solution, especially in areas where space is limited. When placed strategically along the side of the queue, stores can keep customers informed and manage their expectations to help minimise frustration before customers enter the premises.

Queue management can also be achieved using the VMS-A in areas with more space. Whilst the HD Compact’s selling point is its small size, the VMS-A allows for more complex messages and may also reach a larger number of customers due to its size, making it ideal for car parks and larger stores. Such messages may encompass new store opening times, the store’s social distancing policy or other important information.

The use of the VMS-A in this solution can also help to keep customers informed every step of the way with their visit, being able to be used for a wide range of aspects such as traffic control and pedestrian marshalling.

One of the most innovative uses however has been found in the support of increased demand of Click and Collect, which, in the absence of any customer information, can descend into chaos easily. Using our web-based platform, site managers can update the sign’s message within seconds to call forward the next customer when their order is ready.

Whilst we learn to deal with COVID-19 both as an economy and as a society, more technological solutions will be employed to help us deal with the hostile circumstances we find ourselves in. This solution, and those we have developed alongside it, represents a step change in how we continue to use our technology to keep Britain informed during a time when information is of critical importance.

For more information about our solutions or if you would like to know more about how you can use our products to help with social distancing or queue management, please contact us via our contact form.

Alternatively, you can call us on 01629 580 570 to speak to one of our friendly team, or you can email us via sales@m-vis.co.uk.

Our dedicated team are still upskilling

Posted on 29th May 2020 at 1:13 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

At MVIS / Bartco UK, we believe that quality starts with our staff and therefore we like to ensure that each member of our team is fully trained in order to provide our customers with the highest service possible. With this in mind, we like to embrace all achievements our team earn and do not shy away from a congratulations!

Since joining us in mid-2019, Bartco UK’s two newest recruits have been on several training courses including manual handling and safety inductions, with their most recent earned qualification being their forklift training.

Liam Griffiths and Jacob Spencer have received certification from KMT training solutions following the completion of a forklift course earlier on in the year, luckily just before the lockdown. Courses like these do not only improve our team’s knowledge within the business, but it also strengthens their skill set which can be taken with them through advancements of their career in the future.

Professional development is key to striving within this industry, as it allows us to offer our customers the best production and maintenance services – something that we are proud to be able to promote as the number one VMS distributor in the UK. Investing time and effort into our employees ensures continuous staff and company development and progression that we can, at least in part, attribute our growth to.

After joining our team, Liam and Jacob have been progressing their skills both in house and externally to be fully qualified to deliver the highest quality service through all jobs within our workshop. Daily, the team are working on refurbished units and new builds in order to meet the needs of our customers as well as performing maintenance checks on units.

But Bartco UK aren’t the only ones pushing an agenda of staff development. Since her promotion to Marketing Assistant for MVIS last year, Tillie Woolliscroft has undergone a significant amount of training.

This training is advancing Tillie’s skills in the field of marketing, equipping her with specialist knowledge that helps her increase her productivity and effectiveness in her new role. Tillie’s commitment to her job has seen her been awarded Employee of the Month twice in 2020 already, with her skills and experience only getting better.

Likewise, the whole MVIS team have undergone upskilling in recent months in the form of digital communications. Whilst some of our team were already proficient in digital communications,however many members haven’t had need to use corporate communication tools such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom before.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, both the MVIS and Bartco UK workforce have been required to understand how to use this technology in order to continue working. In true MVIS / Bartco UK fashion, the whole team adapted seamlessly, allowing for a new era of working processes for the group.

Despite the two company’s continuous support, training can only go so far and without the dedication of our team to their work, their colleagues and their safety, the group wouldn’t be the great example of success with staff development and retention that it is today.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

Posted on 22nd May 2020 at 10:54 am.

Written by Ben Kettell

During this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we asked our staff to stop and breathe; to remember the things in life that inspire them, encourage them and allow them to feel ‘human’ during the uncertain weeks that we have so far been faced with.

Here at MVIS and Bartco UK, we try to ensure that our staff are our number one priority, after all, without them there would be no ‘us’. We are a team and despite COVID-19 we continue to try to encourage everyone to maintain their individual flare. Because of this, we thought that this week we would ask everyone to stop and reflect on the positives in life in order to regain control of our mental health while being isolated from our work family.

With our online chat thriving, film suggestions message group and Facetime calls, our spirits remain high.

We asked the team to send us a photo of something that they are thankful for and with that lots of cute and funny pictures came through! Activities like this, although small, give us something to laugh about and keep us focused on our humanity.

Spending more time at home is allowing us to spend quality time with those in our home that we love and to reconnect again. We are being given the chance to strengthen our close relationships and engage with loved ones which is something that we can be grateful for in these hard times. (Even if they do have a wagging tail!)

Now more then ever we can truly understand the importance of mental well-being. From a daily video chat to a virtual fancy dress party, we at MVIS and Bartco UK have never been more grateful for the team that we have and are proud to be apart of.

With this being said, a thank you is in order for our amazing group who have been going above and beyond since day one.

Product Spotlight: HD Compact VMS

Posted on 15th May 2020 at 1:19 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

MVIS’ HD Compact VMS was the first temporary variable message sign (VMS) designed for use within work zones in order to improve safety and for public information.

We have a good reputation in the industry for working with government sectors and traffic management companies in developing innovative products that meet specific requirements. This high definition, dual colour (red and white) unit is no exception, having been developed with certain requirements in mind as a result of market research we conducted with our customers.

Weighing below 10kg, this unit can be installed on existing street furniture or on its own battery box and post. Also available in a mains-powered format or with battery and solar power, the HD Compact VMS can be used for portable, temporary applications or in a fixed, permanent context on urban highways.

As if this unit isn’t innovative enough, MVIS’ HD Compact went on to spark a revolution in the industry, leading to competing iterations of this product appearing on the market. However, in true MVIS / Bartco UK fashion, our unit is separated from copies by its ingenious data collection radar than can be used to identify traffic trends.

The implications of this are significant, especially following the COVID-19 outbreak. Data as a commodity in the name of safety is a highly valuable asset that’s only becoming more important as local authorities, traffic management companies and many other groups are eager to understand more about traffic trends during this time to learn about the impact of COVID-19.

Data, however, has always been important for identifying trends and risks, and the HD Compact offers this feature as standard, making it a low cost, multi-functional solution to alternative data collection units and other VMS.

Since the launch of the HD Compact in 2016, MVIS have gathered enough feedback from customers to continue significant and meaningful development of this unit, leading to some exciting news due to be announced by MVIS and Bartco UK this year pertaining to the features and functionality of this already innovative unit.

For more information about our HD Compact or if you would like to know more about how you can use our units to help with social distancing or data collection, please contact us via our contact form.

Alternatively, you can call us on 01629 580 570 to speak to one of our friendly team, or you can email us via sales@m-vis.co.uk.

Setting the safe example

Posted on 12th May 2020 at 12:27 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

Many weeks on from the initial COVID-19 outbreak and businesses all over the world are figuring out ways to adjust to the evolving situation. One of the biggest aspects of human life to have suffered is social contact, with not just our social lives plunging into isolation, but also many people’s work life, which makes things very difficult for companies who are looking for ways to operate safely in this hostile climate.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, MVIS have gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of our staff, from implementing ‘work from home’ measures to furnishing staff with PPE and ‘care packages’ containing hand soap, tissues and other important items. However, when the health and safety of your employees are at risk, you can never do too much to safeguard them.

One of the most important things businesses can do to keep their staff safe is to communicate with them, making sure they know the company’s social distancing policy like their lives depend on it.

An effective way of doing this is with variable message signs.

Because of this, we have deployed 2 of our VMS-A signs outside our headquarters to serve a range of functions, the first of which is to keep reinforcing the 2m distance policy to our employees using our signs as a vivid visual reminder.

Another application this deployment has served is in the warning to visitors against entering the premises, which is a huge unknown factor in any risk assessment under these conditions, especially for deliveries.

In recent weeks we have noticed an increasing interest in our signs to help businesses and other organisations with such requirements.

There are a number of benefits in using a VMS for this purpose, one of them being the ease of updating, which can be done remotely via our web-based portal or mobile app.

Another benefit is the integrated data collection radar in the VMS, which establishes these units as a multi-functional solution that can collect important data at a time when we know so little about the impact of COVID-19 on our driving patterns.

For more information about our VMS or if you would like to know more about how you can use our units to help with social distancing, please contact us via our contact form.

Alternatively, you can call us on 01629 580 570 to speak to one of our friendly team, or you can email us via sales@m-vis.co.uk.

Mizzy goes out in the Field

Posted on 6th May 2020 at 12:21 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

Having all our staff understand how our business operates is a very important factor for success. When staff have an appreciation for what goes on in other departments, they gain a deeper understanding of the work we do and how they contribute. Whilst all roles in an organisation impact others to some degree, it is perhaps the working relationship between our operations team and our team out in the field that benefits most from this understanding.

Before the nationwide lockdown was imposed in the UK, Mizzy Watson who is part of the operations and customer service team, took a trip out in the field with our delivery driver, Jon Larkins.

Mizzy, who started at MVIS towards the end of 2019, works closely with MVIS customers and their requirements. Part of her role is communicating this to the delivery team, organising our delivery drivers over the phone, organising our operations in the field to ensure that units are deployed safely, in the correct location and display the correct messages as per our customers instruction. However, whilst she works with our delivery team on a regular basis, Mizzy is still fairly new to the organisation and in striving for a vertical understanding of our operations, it was decided that she should experience ‘a day in the life’ of one of our delivery drivers.

In this case, the exercise helped Mizzy to gain a much deeper appreciation of our delivery team’s roles, the risks involved in what they do and the important contribution she makes in helping deliveries go smoothly, all in a way that allows her to imagine doing the role herself.

Taking part in this training before the lockdown was particularly well timed, as Mizzy gained a deeper understanding of life out on site, giving her a deeper understanding of this role just before working from home was imposed in response to COVID-19. Working from home requires a larger degree of autonomy than working from the office, where staff are readily available to train and assist with questions.

Mizzy commented, “It’s fantastic getting an opportunity to see how the magic happens with my own eyes. I loved getting stuck in and representing the office team out in the field. But I also gained a real understanding of what our delivery team does and the importance of the risk assessments they perform, vehicle checks, product checks and deployment in the safest location and safety of others on the roads. Seeing this has helped me to understand my contribution to the team better, enabling me to be more effective in my service overall.”

Jon adds, “Taking Mizzy out in the field was a great opportunity for me to show her just how valuable her work is to us, and in turn how important our work is for the roads in general. I really enjoyed getting to know her more on a personal level too as we rarely get chance to talk about our lives. It’s essential to have a professional person on the end of the phone, as working on the highways is a dangerous occupation, so Mizzy’s support back in the office is appreciated. Building a good relationship with your colleagues is very reassuring to those out in the field, so it’s great to build any kind of relationship with our operations team member, especially when your life is often in their hands.”

How do you boost workforce safety amid COVID-19?

Posted on 30th April 2020 at 11:53 am.

Written by Ben Kettell

In our new socially distanced world, human interaction temporarily must take a back seat for the greater good.

As the nation stays indoors and does its part to stop the spread of COVID-19, travel and transportation outside of key services and journeys has seen a steep decline.

With that said, key workers are continuing to keep the cogs of the nation turning, so how do we look after those who are at the coal face?

As a company accredited with ISO45001:2018 for Health and Safety Management, it should come as no surprise that MVIS is constantly monitoring and adapting protocols to keep their workforce, customers, and the public safe to the highest level of effectiveness.

Whether physical or mental health, MVIS places employee health, safety and wellbeing at the forefront of the business.

Telling the tail: The safer delivery model

The MVIS delivery model champions the deployment of multiple units over single unit deliveries wherever possible.

The key to doing so? The beavertail.

MVIS utilises beavertails to deliver multiple units per deployment

The use of beavertails within this delivery model enables the company to create this safer, more efficient method of working in these present times. Utilising beavertails in this manner, MVIS can deploy 3 x VMS A units, 2 x VMS C units, or 2 x Solar IP units in one delivery.

MVIS’ delivery model removes excess travel from daily operations, and as a knock-on effect – dramatically reduces the time their operatives are spending on both the road network and work sites amidst the current pandemic we face.

Additionally, the MVIS safer delivery model negates the requirement for MVIS staff to return to base on multiple occasions within the delivery process. This means there is a dramatic reduction in the time operatives spend both travelling on the road network, as well as in the frequency of social distancing measures via a reduction in human interaction across their premises.

In practice, a recent deployment in Wales from their Matlock HQ of 6 x VMS A units, saw MVIS complete delivery in just 2 journeys, with 2 VMS A units transported on the beavertail and 1 unit being towed on each journey.

Homeworker wellbeing

Even before the enforced home working guidelines, MVIS had started to make the shift to staff working from home wherever possible to further reduce unnecessary travel – a strategy they will continue to commit to post pandemic.

However, with COVID-19 making this a 5-days a week switch, the company is taking extra measures to make sure the mental health and wellbeing of their team isn’t sacrificed.

Environmental bonus: Greener delivery

The MVIS safer delivery model brings with it a more environmentally friendly method of keeping Britain moving.

The use of beaver tails in the process and the subsequent reduction in delivery journeys taking place provides an obvious showcase of a reduction in their carbon footprint.

In the recent six-unit deployment to Wales, MVIS’ ability to deliver in just two trips provides a decrease in journey time of 66% meaning an impressive reduction of two-thirds of emissions.

Delivery in practice: Multiple units are deployed to site

General Manager Anne Ashman told us:

“With unnecessary outings, working from home and social distancing now a key aspect of everybody’s life, we can take great pride on the emphasis we place on staff safety as now, perhaps more than ever, it is extremely prevalent.

“Since 2012 when the company was born, our delivery model has been based around not only efficient service, but workforce safety. Keeping our team off the network where possible, whilst continuing to deliver the high levels of customer service we are known for.

“As the government continues to rightly place such a focus on public health, we want to urge both companies and individuals to look at ways they can look after their teams not just now, but way beyond the challenges that COVID-19 is throwing at us all.

“Additionally, we place environmental factors high on the list of things to consider, and over the years we’ve taken steps such as those within our delivery model to reduce our carbon footprint.

“Whilst we all look after each other by staying indoors, we can also focus on the long-term benefits of both workforce safety, as well as the environment, that these new protocols can provide long after the Coronavirus isn’t our biggest daily concern.”

Source: highwaysindustry.com

How can we all look after our home-based workforces?

Posted on 7th April 2020 at 12:59 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

MVIS staff are all set up for home working

Team calls are now a regular feature of the MVIS working week

The last few weeks may have seen the UK take the largest collective step in a change of day to day working practice in our lifetimes.

An increased amount of home working being carried out due to Government guidelines as we fight the challenges COVID-19 pandemic brings challenges for us all.

MVIS has had office staff transition to working from home for a few weeks now, and the company are extremely aware of the need to support those in lockdown and isolation.

Whilst frontline MVIS staff continue to keep Britain moving, their office-based staff are now based at home

Anne Ashman, General Manager of MVIS told us:

“Some of our staff are now into their 4^th week of working from home, and at times I have really noticed the mood change.

“People hit lows for various reasons across various days as a combination of new realities is beginning to dawn; the severity of the virus and death rate being one, spending large amounts of time indoors in their own homes another and missing socialising both in, and out of work is another.

“I’m sure we can’t be the only company experiencing this amongst staff, so we wanted to share some of the things we do to keep staff connected, share some ideas and promote some best practice of aiding employee mental health throughout this time.”

“We’re not trying to promote what we do as the model to follow, but more raise general awareness of the fact there are things we can all do, and what those things may be.

“We aim to promote positive actions that keep our team in contact.”

Some of the things MVIS are implementing are:

A daily 9 am team call, with everyone working from home on Microsoft teams, to make sure everyone is ok and have a plan in place for the day ahead
Daily update from management via email, this can cover the latest from the government with health and safety updates, but always has something positive in it as well as a thank you to the guys on the frontline delivering, and those working (within social distancing measures) in the workshop
Reassurance that jobs are safe
Handwritten letters to a couple of staff who work at a distance to tell them how well they are doing and how we appreciate them
An online staff social night
A good old-fashioned personal phone call asking how someone is feeling

: Out on the highways, team MVIS continue to deliver

: MVIS key workers continue to keep the workshop fully operational

Furlough

Although not a path MVIS has had to tread, the company are encouraging others to not forget about the mental health needs of any furloughed staff.

Additionally, some companies have employees currently not working, with the government job retention scheme leaving some workers on indefinite furlough.

Whilst furlough leaves employees safe in the knowledge 80% of their salaries are covered and their job is secure for when the furlough period ends, the isolation has the potential to feel even more severe as all work interactions are postponed indefinitely.

Anne continued:

“Those on furlough could feel intense isolation throughout this period. Whilst their jobs are secured, their social interactions could be severely reduced, and we’d encourage other businesses to make sure they are finding ways to reach out to their furloughed staff on a personal level.

“Whilst those employees won’t be performing daily tasks as normal, they are still an integral part of the workforce and will need support as we all stand together to beat COVID-19.”

Source: highwaysindustry.com