Returning to Work After Lockdown

Furloughed Employees Returning to Work.

Boris Johnson announced last week; “I can confirm today for the first time that we are past the peak of this disease. We are past the peak and we are on the downward slope,” and many countries in Europe are now starting to ease the lockdown restrictions that were implemented.  The UK government is also due to present their plans on how the UK will be easing restrictions and help kick start the economy towards the end of this week.

The Chancellor has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme until 30th June 2020 and this has helped many employers to furlough their employees instead of making redundancies.

However, as that time approaches and perhaps a relaxation of some restrictions are announced in the coming days and weeks, both employers and employees will be thinking about how will they return to work.

One of the key factors that will have a large bearing on any successful return to work will be how confident employees and employers feel about a return to work. Employees can refuse to return to work if they believe their health and safety is at risk and any dismissal in this regard could, potentially, be unfair.

EMPLOYERS CONSIDERATIONS WHEN EMPLOYEES RETURN TO WORK

Considerations for Employers when Employees Return to Work.

Here are some considerations (as advised by government and Public Health England - PHE), an employer should bear in mind to enable a successful return to work:

·      Allow the employee to work from home where possible.  This will remove the risk of having to commute on public transport to the workplace, having to mix with other  people who are not from the same household.

·      If the employee is unable to work from home because of the type of work they do then the employer will need to ensure that guidance from Health and Safety Executive and PHE is adhered to;

           o  Ensure employees can maintain social distancing in the workplace

           o  Employees can wash their hands with soap and hot water

           o  Work equipment and shared communal areas are cleaned and sanitised frequently, throughout the day.

·      Consider staggering a return to work or operating a shift pattern.  

·      Clear instructions and regular communication is vital to reassure employees of what they are expected to do when at work and adhere to new working practices.

·      Offer employment assistance programmes where employees can access support.

·      If the employee is being asked to undertake face to face interaction with a customer, then this should be in line with government guidance of social distancing and it may be prudent to provide the employee with PPE.

·      If employees are being asked to remain working from home their wellbeing needs to be supported. Whilst this may be a great solution from a social distancing perspective, working from home can be isolating and lonely.

Whilst it is great that we are now starting to look at coming out the other side of the Covid Crisis, it’s also worth keeping in mind that, if we are not cautious and adhere to guidance there, potentially, could be a serious second wave which would put us back to square one.

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Lunar HR can help with your return to work process giving advice and guidance, please do get in touch.

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