Reducing Financial Strains On Customers During COVID-19 Pandemic


03/28/2020

National Grid stops collection temporarily and presents its plans and preparedness with customers, stakeholders, authorities and workforce alike to tackle the crisis situation.


Dailycsr.com – 28 March 2020 – National Grid puts a temporarily hold on activities that related to collection for example “service disconnections”. This is an attempt to reduce the financial hardship on customers which could have been caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The said decision forms part of the company’s “pandemic preparedness plan”, designed to lessen the virus impact on its customers as well as its workforce besides showing its ability of delivering “safe, reliable electricity and natural gas”. In the words of the “Interim U.S. President” at National Grid, Badar Khan:
“We recognize that this pandemic has brought many challenges for our customers and we want to do our part to lessen any financial impact they may face as the result of the outbreak. We are committed to our customers’ well-being during this difficult time.” 
 
Moreover, here are some of the steps taken by National Grid to safeguard its employees during the crisis hours as the company continues to keep a close watch on the pandemic situation, as mentioned in their press release:
“Limiting external meeting attendance and external visitors at National Grid facilities to operationally critical activities that are required to deliver gas and electricity to our customers. “Restricting travel between National Grid office locations, except for operationally critical activities. “Stopping all international business-related travel. “Elevating the level of cleaning and disinfecting at all company facilities”.
 
While Khan further added:
“Ensuring the health and safety of our employees and customers is our number one priority. We have a comprehensive emergency response plan in place to keep the lights on and the gas flowing for our customers. Our pandemic team is meeting daily and we’re closely monitoring all developments associated with this evolving and complex virus.”
 
Moreover, National Grid will remain in touch with “regulators, federal, state and local officials, emergency response organizations, customers” as well as the stakeholder to share with them the company’s preparedness. He said:
“We will continue to closely monitor this situation, review and adjust our policies and ways of working as necessary, and will keep the lines of communications open with our employees, customers and all stakeholders”.
 
 
References:
3blmedia.com