AGF’s COVID-19 Preparedness Response

September 11, 2020
Update to Statement Dated May 12, 2020

AGF’s COVID-19 Preparedness Response

As previously communicated, AGF has taken specific measures to ensure business continuity and the protection of our employees around the world in light of the rapidly evolving situation related to the novel coronavirus: COVID-19. We can confirm we have experienced no impact to our business operations to date and no instances of business operations interruption.

To maintain our business-as-usual operations and importantly to protect the health and safety of our employees, clients and communities the following measures remain in place:

• The majority of AGF’s employees continue to work remotely

• Our offices have reopened on a limited-scale voluntary basis with employees requiring pre-approval from management to schedule and track time in the office. We have 15 to 20 employees in our offices on any given day. As well, approximately 10 employees have continued throughout the pandemic to perform critical functions out of primary and secondary office locations in Ontario, including functions such as Call Centre and Operations staff.

•  Existing business travel bans and bans on participation in external conferences and events remain in place until further notice.

Back-to-Office Guiding Principles

With our voluntary return to office plan in place, we have identified the following guiding principles, in priority order, as critical to our planning and activities.

1. Employee physical safety will be paramount. We will ensure all of our facilities meet the recommendations of local Government and Public Health agencies before allowing return. 

2. Employee mental health will be top of mind. As our current capabilities are allowing us to operate effectively, we have no need to rush back and any return will be gradual and measured. We will also be accepting and supportive of the personal and family health, public transit, and child education/day care constraints of our employees.  

3. As an essential service we must maintain the ability to meet and exceed client service needs. Preference, priority and any declaration of mandatory presence in the office will consider these needs. 

4. Culturally we must provide the capability to ensure ongoing collaboration and teamwork in a mixed at home and at work environment, so no employee feels disadvantaged by their present choice.

Our employees have proven we can effectively work from home and by embracing technology, have also found new ways to do things finding efficiency and benefits in this environment.

While we have no definitive date at this time, we anticipate a staggered return to the office as economies continue to reopen. We will continue to take guidance from local Government and Public Health agencies.

Thank you for your ongoing support during this uncertain time. We will continue to carefully monitor developments both at home and abroad. Should the need arise, we will be quick to update you further.