Since Phase 2 of BC’s Restart Plan has been put into motion, many businesses, ourselves included, are trying to figure out how they will be continuing or starting up operations again. There are many procedures that will be adopted to accommodate new mandates and social distancing.
We wanted to share how Paperclip Law plans to keep ourselves and our clients safe as we slowly start working out of our physical office again. See details about how we plan on operating below:
- Entering the building
Our building is not currently allowing unauthorized persons into suites without expressed permission. This means you will have to give us a call once you arrive and someone will come down to the lobby or parkade to escort you to our office. For those who are interested in using the building’s parkade, security is now manning the gate and will be responsible for granting you access to the garage. There is ample paid parking available, but if you let us know ahead of time we can try to make our client parking available to you. Just make that known to your lawyer or point of contact.
- Entering our office
Once you are escorted to our suite, you will be directed to our kitchen to wash your hands. You will then be led to our large boardroom which allows everyone to remain six feet apart. The tables and chairs will be wiped down with disinfectant before and after meetings. This ensures that nothing is brought into our office and nothing will leave with you. We are doing our best to limit meeting times and leave ample gaps between them so there is little to no overlap in clientele.
- Dropping off and picking up documents
When it is possible, we encourage our clients to receive and distribute documentation over email, through regular mail, or couriered to and/or from our office. This helps to limit both ours and our client’s interaction with the outside world. In cases where originals are necessary, we ask that you contact us to let us know when you plan on stopping by so we can ensure someone is there to safely greet you.
- Protective gear
For in-person meetings, our team members will be wearing protective gear such as face masks and gloves at our client’s request. We find it has been difficult to communicate when our speech is muffled, but we are happy to accommodate our client’s and what makes them most comfortable.
- Meetings
Many of our clients have let us know that they love the option of meeting over video conference or having us come to them—so those options are here to stay! The government has also expanded the way we can witness documents so that some signings can be done virtually—just check with your point of contact. Otherwise, we will be conducting in-person meetings only at the request of clients and will be ensuring social distancing protocol is in effect. We ask that you bring your own pen but will have some available for you to use and take home should you not have one on hand.
- Special circumstances
We want our clients to know that we are here for them. Regardless of your circumstances or physical abilities, we want to have open conversations with you about how to conduct meetings and get required signatures to get your legal stuff done. We want to meet you where you are—emotionally or physically. Though some things in our worlds are returning to “normal”, we fully understand the concern of our clients for their own safety and the well-being of their families and we’re right there with you.
If you have any questions about how we will be conducting business or any suggestions on how to go forward, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
