Coronavirus - Advice for Employers and Employees

Coronavirus Guidance for Employers - UPDATED 5TH MARCH 2020

Coronavirus –(COVID-19) update for employers

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

In the fast moving current environment, it was announced on the 4th March 2020 that in the cases of individuals being advised to self-isolate or those who are unwell with the virus and are unable to work would be entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) from day 1 instead of the usual day 4 of sickness absence.  

The premise for this is to prevent employees feeling under pressure due to financial difficulties, into coming to work and spreading the virus further.  However, further clarification is still needed on who would qualify for SSP in these circumstances.

Working from home

Where possible employers are encouraged to allow employees to work from home, especially if they are at risk of spreading the virus to others.

If an employee is able to work from home, they should be paid their normal contractual pay.

Where an employee is not able to work from home but needs to self-isolate as per medical advice provided, they could be entitled to SSP.  This absence is treated as sickness absence and the usual business obligations apply regarding communication via phone or email, although perhaps employers could relax the rules slightly due to the unusual and extreme circumstances presented.

Travel abroad

If an employee has returned from a restricted location, they should inform their line manager and seek medical advice on next steps, before coming into the workplace.  Obviously this should be made clear to employees and is regardless if the employee has travelled for leisure or on behalf of the employer.

Businesses are encouraged not to send employees to restricted locations and follow the advice from the Foreign Office on travel.

General Advice for Employers

In recent days we have seen how businesses and schools in the UK are responding to the ongoing threat of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) with several schools closed after students and staff return from trips in Italy during the half term. BBC News has also reported that several London firms were sending their employees home due to the threat, some of them being told to remain home "for the time being".

The threat level within the UK as today’s date has been raised from low to moderate, but is not yet declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). That said the Prime Minister has today, (28th February) announced that there will be an emergency "Cobra Meeting" for the Government on Monday.

Practical Advice on Coronavirus for Employers

To help employers with some practical advice on what they can do if they are worried, have staff who are returning from affected countries or have symptoms of the virus. Public Health England (PHE) have advised that the most at risk of severe reaction to the virus are the elderly and those with underlying other medical conditions.  

Practical advice from Public Health England is to treat this virus in the same way as a cold/flu virus. Specifically:

·       cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

·       throwaway tissues in the bin straight away.

·       wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

·       try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

·       clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

·       do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Advice for Employers from ACAS

In addition, ACAS produced guidance and they would add to the above by suggesting employers provide hand sanitisers, ensure tissues available for all staff to use, encourage them to use tissues and wash hands.

If possible, have a separate room for any member of staff to use should they start to feel unwell at work and allow them to call NHS 111.

If someone has symptoms that are associated with Coronavirus such as coughing, shortness of breath and fever, they should contact NHS 111 for advice and self-isolate.

Self-isolation

When an employee is in quarantine or self-isolation, they are not in actual fact legally entitled to sick pay but the advice from Daniel Barnett (Experienced Barrister) is that it would be good practice to pay this otherwise the risk is the employee comes into work and potentially spreads the virus and puts others at risk.

School closures

If an employee has children under the age of 18 and their school is closed because of the virus, then the employee is entitled to dependents leave, which is unpaid. Dependents leave is reasonable time off to arrange alternative care for the dependent allowing the employee to return to work.

Discrimination

It is also a good time to remember not to treat individuals differently because of their race or ethnicity.  There has been a rise in race hate incidents related to Coronavirus.  Your businesses procedures to protect the health and safety of all staff should be applied fairly.

HR Advice and Support for Coronavirus

If you would like any further support in this area please do not hesitate to contact us at Lunar HR. We will be sharing updates on our social media, you can find us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn