Innovation in Action

When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, organizations had to come up with different ideas to run their businesses while considering social distancing. G4S Secure Solutions being essential service providers, had to rely on the recruitment team to hire a higher volume of applicants into the business. As a result, more people were visiting the branches to collect uniforms and other necessary equipment to perform their duties at the frontlines. The visitors / new recruits had to fill paper-based health screening questionnaires Donna Bakrania which if mishandled, could Human Resources act as a carrier for the

Administrator COVID-19 virus.

I felt that all of my colleagues working at the front end were at risk and the only solution to stop the virus was to break the chain. I had seen the QR codes being used in different industries for the exchange of information. I thought this tool would be a simple, yet effective solution to collect information for the Health Screening Questionnaire without any physical contact between employees and visitors.

The main advantage of the QR code is that it can capture information electronically thus avoiding the exchange of physical papers. Handling these papers requires PPE equipment which could incur added operational cost to the organization. Moreover, QR codes can be scanned very quickly and easily thus avoiding line-up of visitors outside G4S branches and offices. A separate QR code poster was designed and was posted at the entrance of all G4S locations. The poster is self-explanatory and the visitor has to simply scan the QR code using the camera on their smartphones. This QR code directs them to the electronic health questionnaire. Once the visitor submits the form, all the responses are visible to the branch representative in real-time.

The majority of people today own a smartphone and can easily scan the QR code and fill the information from their own device in no time. The whole process is quick and easy, and most importantly it does not require any major investments.

Currently, QR code posters are being used for the following: • Health check for visitors/new recruits coming to any of the G4S locations • Employee health checks prior to starting the work day. This helps us keep the client safe and confident about our service. • Walk-ins can apply for jobs using QR codes.

This minimizes the recruiter’s physical contact with people.

Future potential uses: • Managing Job fair applicants • Job application through QR code on Social

Media platforms • Queue management for customers/clients • Paperless communication and surveys