Rank: New forum user 
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Hi All, My sales team are pushing to be able to visit clients face to face again.
My initial reaction was that this is a no-no in the current climate and that we should be using alternative technology such as video conferencing to keep contact to a minimum and reduce the risk of infection.
My question is this, am I right? Or is there an argument for continuing face to face meetings in situations that could use other methods, and if so what?
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Rank: Forum user
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Rather depends if the people at the other end want to meet a person who has been wandering around the country....l
Like the guy who turned-up at my place to do the annual gas check, in ordinary [dirty] work clothes and boots, and got told to come back in a [new] one-piece paper coverall, with a facemask [unvented], gloves and boot covers [as is on his work sheet when visiting a place with a highly-vulnerable resident]
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 1 user thanked John Murray for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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We wouldn't accept any sales reps on site at the moment. Whilst we have adequate controls in place, we are limited to "essential" visitors only, and then only if the meeting can't be held using alternative measures. I would assume your sales team will face obstructions from the customer end too. First rule of risk control is eliminate. If they can do the job without these meetings then they must.
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2 users thanked CptBeaky for this useful post.
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Rank: New forum user
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Thanks guys, this is exactly what I was expecting. CptBeaky, your response pretty much sums up my initial reaction to the question. Just wanted a sense check to ensure I hadn't missed anything!
Edited by user 03 June 2020 11:57:47(UTC)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You need the sales team to list and justify why they deem it necessary to travel especially whilst there are still travel restrictions. Welfare facilities for travellers are few and far between with the ususal suspects not offering drive through toilet breaks. This should already be included in some form of travel policy risk assessment.
Sales teams in some businesses are also the technical/service interface so it is possible they will be "essential vistors" for some customers even in the current situation particularly where materials or equipment have had minimal or no use for the last few months e.g. legionella treatments. Also be very aware your technological response for remote meetings may not exist or be permitted at the customer end.
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4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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You need the sales team to list and justify why they deem it necessary to travel especially whilst there are still travel restrictions. Welfare facilities for travellers are few and far between with the ususal suspects not offering drive through toilet breaks. This should already be included in some form of travel policy risk assessment.
Sales teams in some businesses are also the technical/service interface so it is possible they will be "essential vistors" for some customers even in the current situation particularly where materials or equipment have had minimal or no use for the last few months e.g. legionella treatments. Also be very aware your technological response for remote meetings may not exist or be permitted at the customer end.
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4 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Our procedures say no sales visits to our premises, so you wouldn't (or at least, shouldn't) be allowed in if you came to us.
However, some marketing people think they and their face-to-face meetings are 'essential' - the only significant nearly-breach of our offices shutdown was the marketing department deciding it need to have a face-to-face meeting for the whole team. As it happens, I got wind of it and the MD put a stop to it (I think - maybe they all just colluded to conceal it from me).
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1 user thanked achrn for this useful post.
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