SJIB Update from Fiona Harper

A message from Fiona Harper, The Secretary of the SJIB (13 July 2020)

As you are aware, the SJIB Team has been working from home since in The Walled Garden closed as a result of the Lockdown.

We have been carefully following Scotland’s Routemap through and out of the COVID-19 crisis which is regularly updated by the Scottish Government.  Whilst a phased resumption of some industries, including electrical contracting, has progressed - the Scottish Government has indicated that non-essential offices may not re-open until 31 July 2020 at the earliest – and only following the implementation of relevant guidance.  The guidance also states that working from home and working flexibly is to remain the default position for those who can do so.

We hope to return to the office in August.  I will update you as soon as the SJIB Team is back up and running in The Walled Garden.  We plan to split into two teams meaning that, through rotation, some of us will work from The Walled Garden whilst others will continue to work from home.  This approach will not only conform with the Scottish Government’s guidelines - it will also give us greater flexibility and allow us to return to processing Grading Applications and ECS Health, Safety and Environmental Assessments in the way we did prior to the pandemic.

In the meantime, if you have a query, can I please ask you to contact us by email.  Prior to the lockdown - four Administrators answered calls.  Since lockdown one person has been managing the incoming calls by either answering the query or forwarding it on to the relevant Administrator.  As the lockdown restrictions have been easing for the wider industry - the number of calls received in the past couple of weeks has increased by over 60%.

Therefore, to ensure the team can answer all queries with expedience it would be very much appreciated if, in the first instance, any queries could be submitted by emailing us at:

·                grading@sjib.org.uk

·                ecs@sjib.org.uk

·                generalenquiries@sjib.org.uk

Please be assured that your query will be answered promptly.

I will be in touch again soon with a further update.

Stay safe.

Fiona Harper

The Secretary of the SJIB