Yorkshire business calls on firms to implement staff testing to support return to the workplace

As businesses in the region plan for their staff returning to the workplace, Yorkshire-based agribusiness Sedamyl is heralding the benefits of implementing a business-wide Test and Trace system in partnership with the NHS.

With firms across the country planning returns to the workplace, Sedamyl, based in Selby, is encouraging other businesses to implement regular COVID-19 virus testing for staff to help reduce the spread of the virus, bringing peace of mind to team members and ensuring business continuity in an uncertain economy.

After being among the first companies in the UK to roll out independent workplace testing for employees as early as November 2020, Sedamyl was able to identify asymptomatic positives early on and prevent the virus spreading on site. The weekly testing allowed the business to ensure the safety of its 90 members of staff and more than 100 contractors, minimising disruption to the organisation and its supply chains.

It also allowed the firm to continue to deliver projects including its recently-announced expansion plans, which will see it double production, create additional jobs, add new product lines, and provide an increased market for wheat grown by local farmers.

Elena Frandino, Managing Director at Sedamyl UK and a member of family that has owned the business for 60 years, said: “We identified at an early stage the importance of providing our team with a safe way of returning to the workplace to ensure staff wellbeing was maintained and production was allowed to continue, meaning there was no halt in service for our clients.

This included investing in weekly testing before tests were available nationally, and ensuring staff were able to isolate if they received a positive test. We have also followed recent Government recommendations and introduced lateral flow testing across the firm to deliver rapid results.”

(Manuela Pipitone, Lab Manager / Elena Frandino, Managing Director SEDAMYL UK)

“We’d encourage other businesses in the region to follow Government guidance and ensure they have a robust Track and Trace system in place.

As we look towards the next step of the Government roadmap out of lockdown, this will help ensure staff feel supported and comfortable in returning to the workplace and business can continue as usual.”