Financial Industry "Ensure 1.5m Distance Between Call Center Agents"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] The credit finance industry is implementing measures to reduce the density in call centers, which have emerged as hotspots for cluster infections, by ensuring a distance of at least 1.5 meters between counselors and adopting shift work and dispersed work schedules.

On the 16th, the Credit Finance Association announced these measures to comply with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' "Workplace Intensive Management Guidelines for the Prevention of Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)."

First, to reduce the density in call centers to about half of the previous level, seating will be arranged with one seat left empty between counselors and in a zigzag pattern to secure a distance of at least 1.5 meters between them. If workspace is limited, companies will apply suitable methods such as shift work, dispersed work, or telecommuting according to their working environment.

Additionally, a person responsible for infection control will be designated within the call center to disseminate infection prevention rules and business continuity plans (BCP), and an emergency contact system with public health centers will be established to respond immediately in case of suspected patients.

Periodic disinfection at least once a week and support for hygiene supplies will also be implemented to prevent infections. Personal headsets will be provided, and disinfecting supplies such as hand sanitizers, thermometers, and disinfectant sprayers will be sufficiently stocked within the workplace.

Furthermore, efforts will be made to improve counselors' health and working conditions to prevent work-related stress caused by shift work and other factors, and to maintain employment and income stability for call center employees.

A representative of the Credit Finance Association stated, "We will strive to ensure that these measures are faithfully implemented not only in call centers operated directly by credit finance companies but also in outsourced companies."

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