In light of recent announcements, the Government have published guidance for Employers who are going to have employees returning to work.  This guidance is to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating safely.

Headlines are:

    1. Work from home, if you can
      All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. But for those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, our message is clear: you should go to work. Staff should speak to their employer about when their workplace will open.
    2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
      This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website and we expect all businesses with over 50 employees to do so.
    3. Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
      Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.
    4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
      Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.
    5. Reinforcing cleaning processes
      Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.

A downloadable notice is included in the documents, which employers should display in their workplaces to show their employees, customers and other visitors to their workplace, that they have followed this guidance.

The above are practical steps which Employers should implement as soon as possible and may be subject to additions and changes.  The Government Guidance can be view by following this link

If you/your business has been effected by COVID-19 and are unsure what your obligations are regarding employees you may have, call our expert team on 0207 936 6329 or email info@monangozzett.com.

This reflects the law at the date of publication and is written as a general guide. It does not contain definitive legal advice, which should be sought as appropriate in relation to a particular matter.

Do you have any questions about the subjects raised in this blog? Feel free to fill in the form below and we will do our best to reply to you:

If you would like to speak to our expert legal team about this, or any related subject then please contact our team by phone on 0207 936 6329, Email or by completing our Quick Contact Form below.