How to Communicate a Temporary COVID-19 Closure to Your Team with Care and Clarity

Announcement: Temporary Closure of Your Cluster Due to COVID-19

Dear Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you that, due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19, we have made the decision to temporarily close your cluster.

The health and safety of our employees is our top priority, and we believe that this step is necessary to protect everyone during these challenging times. We understand that this may cause inconvenience, but please know that we are taking this action in the best interest of all employees.

During this closure, please stay connected through official channels for updates and instructions. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide any necessary support.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your manager or the HR department. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated as we navigate through this situation together.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Best regards
[Your Position]

Termination During Lockdown: Legal Implications

In view of the statutory directions, no one can terminate an employee during this lockdown period. Hence, terminating employees at this stage is totally illegal and contrary to the provisions of the SOP, DM Act, and against the provisions of the ID Act, 1947.

Practical Advice

Please seek counseling from your local labor union before making any final decisions. Employees may be retained and transferred to other locations/clusters—have we given them this option at least? Some alternate options like a 'deferred-salary-release' plan may be resorted to instead of losing valuable human capital—many companies have adopted this strategy successfully during this pandemic period.