'This is very difficult': Air NZ workers stood down as Omicron rises

CEO warns the ongoing threat will also affect other sectors

BY Dexter Tilo 25 Jan 2022

The chief executive officer of Air New Zealand has lamented the impact of Omicron after it stood down workers showing COVID-19 symptoms. CEO Greg Foran told the Morning Report that 15 aircrew members had to take time away from work because they were in close contact with a crew member who "obviously picked up Omicron."

He said some of them have begun exhibiting symptoms of the highly transmissible disease.

"This is very difficult. I think we're going to see quite a few Air New Zealanders unfortunately, despite all the protocols and procedures that we have in place, end up catching Omicron," said Foran as quoted by Radio New Zealand.

According to Foran, they’ll need some help on how to keep the airline operating and sought some government guidance on how stand-down time and testing will be handled, warning that it will also be affecting other sectors.

"It won't just be airlines, it will be supermarkets, and hospitals and other transport providers, and it's going to be important that we get those things in place. Not just to move customers, but cargo as well. It's critical that we continue to keep domestic and international lines open," the CEO said as quoted Radio New Zealand.

How can HR help combat the labor shortage?

The impact of the Omicron variant in workplaces is one of the feared effects should the highly transmissible strain makes its way to the community. It risks further crippling businesses that are already facing an already competitive playing field when it comes to hiring talent due to skills shortage.

Charles Cameron, CEO at RCSA, previously told HRD that it may be time start considering a "wildcard talent," which is a candidate who may not fit the bill but could still be the right one, to resolve the problem of skills shortage.