Coronavirus Advice for Employers

Coronavirus advice for employers is currently understandably very important as organisations consider how best to approach the employment difficulties faced by the virus.

Employer concerns range from reducing the risk of infection to employees, how should quarantine or self-isolation be managed, and dealing with a sudden loss of work.

Free Coronavirus Advice for Employers

We are pleased to offer free initial advice and support including receiving a sample of our Coronavirus notices drafted for the workplace.

How can we reduce the risk to our employees?
Employers should send round guidance encouraging employees to be extra-vigilant with washing their hands, using and disposing of tissues etc. If you have the capacity to do so, it may be worth designating an ‘isolation room’ where an employee who feels ill can go and sit away from the rest of the company and privately call ‘111’ before taking any further necessary action. Our Clients have access to a suite of guidance designed for the workplace.

If an employee is not sick but is in quarantine or self-isolation, do we have to pay them sick pay?
Currently there is no legal right to sick pay in these circumstances, but the Government has indicated that this will soon change https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sick-pay-from-day-one-for-those-affected-by-coronavirus

What if employees do not want to come to work?
Some people may be worried about catching coronavirus and therefore unwilling to come into work. If this is the case you should listen carefully to the concerns of your employees and if possible, offer flexible working arrangements such as homeworking. Employees can also request time off as holiday or unpaid leave but there is no obligation on employers to agree to this. If an employee refuses to attend work, you are entitled to take disciplinary action.  However, our view is that dismissal is likely to be outside the range of reasonable responses and therefore unfair, at least for now.

If you would like to find out more about or services or if you have an existing problems that you would like some help with then do not hesitate to get in contact with us 01625 87 4400.