Yesterday World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed 61 countries outside China have reported 8,739 cases of infection with 127 deaths, while the Guardian reports people around the world are resisting handshakes in the wake of the virus.

And recruiters have largely been following suit. Bev White, CEO at the Harvey Nash Group, told Recruiter her agency is encouraging its people to be cautious: “Like most recruitment companies we are a very sociable and high-contact organisation, so caution is key.

“Strangely, my own experience has been that removing the handshake and replacing it with a quick chat has injected more warmth and presence into the conversation than any handshake would. We have encouraged our receptions to display ‘Don’t feel the need to shake hands’ signs, to help nudge people into the right thinking and make the conversation easier!

“We are keeping a very close watch on COVID-19. If its upward trajectory continues, then I can see us becoming more proactive. Our recent move of our IT infrastructure to the cloud has meant home working is an option for many people.”
 
Jennifer Gaster, founder and director of specialist HR recruitment consultancy HR Heads, revealed the agency has taken a proactive approach, asking consultants to let any candidates or clients they are meeting know in advance that they won’t be shaking hands.

“People have been really understanding about this common-sense approach to mitigate any risks.

“We’ve also embraced technology where possible to reduce any disruptions and have asked the team to self-isolate should they feel unwell, with no pay consequences.”

Anthony Goodwin, group CEO & chairman, Antal International & Antal International Network, revealed his agency has also asked staff not to shake hands with clients.

“Yesterday I had a meeting for four new franchise offices in our Baker Street HQ, and although we’d never met before we didn’t engage in the traditional handshake but more of a little wave to say ‘hello’.

“We still believe that for the vast majority of people it is worse than a cold but not as bad as flu, however we are taking all necessary sanitary precautions – encouraging plenty of hand washing and the obligatory use of hand sanitizers (although on Saturday and Sunday my 11-year-old daughter and I scoured the shops but found everywhere sold out).

“Ashleigh Fitzgerald our operations director has distributed a recipe for making one’s own sanitizer.”

But David Taylor, managing director at First Point Group, told Recruiter as the agency has 10 global offices, and each is in a slightly different position locally, they are leaving it up to each consultant to use their own common sense and follow what the local authorities are saying. 

“At the moment our China offices I don’t believe will be shaking hands, mostly as a lot of business travel is curtailed for now, but elsewhere for now it’s business as normal. Handshakes are fine but we are asking everyone to wash their hands before entering the office.”

Sophie Milliken, director, Smart Resourcing Solutions, added: “I’m just about to leave Thailand where everyone is fully masked up, so this one amuses me! We aren’t doing anything other than directing our associates to the NHS guidelines, which focus on the importance of hand washing. I personally think we’ve all gone mad!”

Meanwhile Mary Cox, MD at got people, told Recruiter her agency is experimenting with a different approach: “I saw in the press yesterday foot bumps are the thing today… I think our clients will love it; a great conversation opener! We have just practised it in the office. It’s fun and the entire office collapsed in laughter.”

Kate McCarthy, MD at McCarthy Recruitment, told Recruiter: “It is something we have discussed as a team and as the virus spreads we should all take whatever precautions we believe are appropriate. At this stage it is not something we have specifically asked our team to refrain from but I would understand if it is something they didn’t want to do, and for the time being we are considering it as a potential option for us. It does make practical sense for it to be discussed.

“As far as alternatives go, as always it is more about rapport and eye contact; handshakes are the traditional greeting in our country, however health is paramount and should take priority over pleasantries.”

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