In the current context of the Covid-19 pandemic, TDF is preparing for the exit from containment and ensuring the protection of its employees. For its technical and supervision center employees, who continued to work during the confinement period, the company is confirming and reinforcing the exceptional security measures already in place. For its tertiary site employees who have continued to work remotely, TDF has extended teleworking until at least June 2, and is now preparing for their return to the office by rearranging its premises.
To implement this flexible and scalable exit plan, the company relied on a close social dialogue: weekly exchanges are organized with trade unions to adapt measures to the evolving situation.
The actions proposed are adapted to the diversity of the Group's professions and geographical areas.
In the field, TDF prolongs exceptional operation and maintains a high level of protection.
Since the beginning of the crisis, TDF employees have continued to work, including the 500 operational staff (who represent 35% of TDF's workforce) who have continued to work in the field and at the supervision center. At the beginning of May, measures were stepped up. To protect these employees, TDF equips them with masks, hydroalcoholic gels, goggles, gloves and visors according to the different types of intervention.
Since mid-March, TDF has been implementing a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) aimed at guaranteeing the utmost continuity and quality of its services: Digital Terrestrial Television and radio broadcasting, telecoms infrastructures and fiber optic networks. The services provided by TDF for its customers and partners - TV channels, radio stations, operators - are all the more essential in times of health crisis.
At its network supervision and operations center in Les Lilas, Fort de Romainville (93), TDF has adapted the way its teams work to preserve them and maintain quality service. On the worksites, deployment of new fiber and telecom infrastructures continued, particularly in rural areas. Emergency interventions to guarantee continuity and quality of service were also maintained, in compliance with protection and barrier procedures.
TDF is preparing for the return of employees at its tertiary sites, and is extending teleworking until at least June 2.
With a few exceptions, the 1,000 employees at TDF's tertiary sites are still working remotely, at least until the end of May. From June 2, should the situation remain favorable, a rotation system will be set up, between telecommuting and office work, ensuring that the presence rate never exceeds 50%. On the premises, a circulation zone and signage are installed, workstations are no longer shared, and cleaning is intensified. At the entrances to the main buildings, touch-sensitive tablets will enable temperature readings to be taken in case of doubt.
Masks are now widely worn on the premises and in meetings. Each employee has received one at home, and a sanitary kit will be waiting for them when they return to the office.
A Covid-19 referent has been appointed for each site. He or she will be the point of contact for any questions employees may have, and will be responsible for the protective equipment. The company is also appealing to everyone's sense of responsibility.
As a socially responsible company, TDF has not used public aid and has not implemented short-time working.
TDF supports its managers in this new relationship with work.
Although telecommuting has been in place at TDF for several years, the Covid-19 crisis has prompted management to reinvent itself. Dedicated meetings and training sessions are organized to support managers. They are also made aware of psychosocial risks, and numerous tools are made available to them.
Olivier Huart, Chairman and CEO of the TDF Group, states:
"With this agile, scalable containment exit plan, we are reinforcing the safety of our employees and stakeholders, while meeting the major challenge of business continuity. In this crisis, we are present to meet the needs of the population and our customers. We are also preparing for economic recovery. Access to mobile telephony and fiber has proved indispensable and urgent for the population, as has access to television and radio programs. The TDF Group is a strategic player in France's telecommunications sector. Digital coverage of the country is and will remain a key challenge, and we are proud to contribute to it.