To ‘protect jobs during the current period of restricted movement’, Willmott Dixon is furloughing over 400 of its employees who are unable to carry out their job in line with the government guidance
So far, over 400 of Willmott Dixon’s people have volunteered to be furloughed to support the company, with a similar number of colleagues joining them this week on the government’s Job Retention Scheme.
These measures to furlough people will be reviewed at the end of May as the company takes the required action to safeguard the long-term future of its people during the current period.
The company has around 90% of its projects operational, although like other major contractors, it faces growing supply-side challenges in securing trade and material resources which are having an impact on efficiency and output.
Site Operating Procedures
Willmott Dixon is ensuring the Site Operating Procedures produced by the Construction Leadership Council, in collaboration with Public Health England, are stringently implemented within its existing H&S protocols governing safe site activity.
This includes working closely with supply chain partners and other stakeholders to agree practices and programmes to create a safe environment
Ready for the future
Group chief executive Rick Willmott, said: “The battle to defeat COVID-19 has created an enormous challenge, one which is going to test us all immensely as we strive to protect jobs and be as resilient as we can be to the worst effects of the situation
“While we had to take the tough decision of asking for volunteers to join the furlough process, I was deeply touched by the large number of colleagues who responded.
“We appreciate the decency and understanding of everyone who has been through this process; it is our intention to get everyone back to work as quickly as possible.
“While we don’t know how long this will last, taking the action to furlough some of our people now will help us ensure that we emerge from this in good shape and ready for the future after the pandemic is over.”
