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What were the main steps you took to protect the business once it became clear we were in the midst of an unprecedented challenge?

During these unprecedented times the business looked to legal to partner with HR and other functions to move into immediate crisis management. We formed a series of cross-functional teams whose responsibilities included creating new processes, communications, data gathering and overall crisis management.

Ultimately the safety of our 8,000 employees was paramount. However we also had to keep the business running for customers and also manage any huge supply chain risks that presented themselves. The legal team occupied a unique position identifying and managing legal and regulatory risks, whilst also acting as project manager.

Protecting the business has often meant companies having to make tough decisions. How were you able to assist the employees of the company get through the difficult period of the first lockdown?

The legal team played a key role in managing the unprecedented challenges that occurred during the first lockdown period. The first challenge was managing the wave of employees having to work from home. This required structure, communication and empathy. The legal team played an important role during this transition.

The legal team also had to collate and interpret the changing regulations and laws across 50 countries to create policies to manage legal risks including labour and employment and leverage government support schemes if appropriate to protect jobs. We also had to re-enforce the safety of employees and manage the risks to the business whilst maintaining production and delivery of services.

Even in the best-case scenario, Covid-19 is likely to have far-reaching ramifications. How are you safeguarding the long-term health of the business?

Our new flexible work policy and associated processes have been well received by employees as a progressive way forward in the ‘new norm’. They are equally capable of being amended if we find productivity or collaboration begins to suffer. Also, we have reviewed and amended contracts and templates to reduce risk in relation to pandemics and other related disruptions. The crisis has driven activity to review and upgrade our business continuity plans across the world.