Australia’s biggest race club the VRC will operate with a skeleton staff for the next month

VRC chief executive Neil Wilson has implemented a cost-cutting strategy to soften the impact of the COVID-19 virus by telling staff to take April off.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Amanda Elliott VRC Chairman (L) and Neil Wilson VRC CEO attend the Myer Spring Fashion Lunch at Flemington Racecourse on September 12, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images,)

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The Victoria Racing Club has reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic by standing down the majority of their staff for a month beginning on Monday and ending on May 1.

Chief executive Neil Wilson said they have implemented these measure as they want to protect their workforce for the future.

VRC staff have been told to use their annual leave and long service leave during this period,

The VRC will retain a very small team to execute critical business tasks. Their Executive Team will work a three-day week with a reduction in pay.

Amanda Elliott VRC Chairman (L) and Neil Wilson VRC CEO. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The Melbourne Racing Club is also operating under a similar directive to the VRC for the next month, while the Moonee Valley Racing Club closed its office on March 23.

Wilson said that although standing down staff was a difficult decision, it was necessary to ensure the sustainability and forward positioning of the Club through the current COVID-19 health crisis.

Wilson said they weren’t immune to the broader economic implications of a community shutdown.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision and one that will impact our entire team at the VRC,” Wilson said. “We have explored every option and we believe this model will best allow our people and the Club to withstand these unprecedented times and resume regular activity as soon as this situation passes.

“Our first priority right now is to look after our people, so they can take care of themselves and their families, as we work our way through this unprecedented situation,” Wilson said.

“We will spend the next five weeks monitoring developments and formulating a plan for beyond the 1st of May if required, keeping our people, members, corporate partners and the broader industry regularly informed throughout this period.”

“By acting decisively now, we hope we can soften the impact as best we can with what is in our control, so that we are well placed to thrive when this challenge has passed.

The next Flemington meeting is on Anzac Day, April 25.