Coronavirus Advice and Guidance for Employers

COVID – 19 AND UNFAIR DISMISSAL

May 2022 Update

Another case ruling has been published relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, it is an employment appeal tribunal ruling which considered whether an employee’s refusal to attend the workplace because of COVID-19 concerns was fair or not.

The original employment tribunal ruled in April 2021 found in favour of a fair dismissal, which you can read details of the judgement in our newsletter published at the time, which you can access here.

WILL COMPANIES BE ABLE TO ASK STAFF TO SELF-ISOLATE IF THEY HAVE COVID-19

March 2022 Update

On the 21 February 2022, two years on from the start of the pandemic, the government announced its plan for England, for how we are to live with COVID-19 going forward

COVID – 19 – MANAGING THE WORKPLACE SAFELY
February 2022 Update

The government’s COVID-19 announcement that all restrictions will be lifted, it will mean that moving forward the responsibility for how to live with the virus will be placed on individuals rather than the government, and their interventions that we have all been familiar with over these last two years.

SEVEN THINGS TO DO IF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN ENGLAND END EARLY
February 2022 Update

At present, we are working to measures being relaxed when the Regulations expire on 24 March, however, it was announced yesterday that the requirement to self-isolate may end one month sooner. It is reported that the number of infection levels, hospitalisations and deaths continue to fall, which is a result of being further along in the vaccination programme. But what will this mean for employers and employees, especially those who are clinically vulnerable?

COVID-19: SELF ISOLATION UPDATE
January 2022 Update

The Government has announced that with effect from Monday 17 January 2022, people who are fully vaccinated will be able to reduce their self-isolation period after five full days of either experiencing symptoms or receiving a positive test result – whichever came first. They must though have two consecutive negative lateral flow tests taken on separate days. This means that they could come out of isolation after just five full days if they have a negative result on both day five and six.

JANUARY 2022: THE LATEST ON COVID-19
January 2022 Update

We start 2022 with a continued focus on COVID-19 and the challenges it continues to bring. We are seeing large numbers of new infections with the dominant variant in the UK now being Omicron; the variant which doubles in case numbers around every two to three days.

SSP AND COVID – REIMBURSEMENT SCHEME REINTRODUCED
December 2021 Update

The full details of the scheme are yet to be announced, however the government updated has updated its guidance on gov.uk with the message: “This scheme will be reintroduced from mid-January 2022. Further guidance will be available as soon as possible.”

EMPLOYERS, HR AND THE NEW COVID VARIANT AND RULES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
December 2021 Update

Several things have changed in light of the Omicron variant, and it is possible that we will see further developments. At the moment, following recent announcements and as of 10 December, many employers will be affected by the following measures:

WHAT IS LONG COVID AND HOW CAN WE MANAGE IT IN THE WORKPLACE?
September 2021 Update

As we continue to return to normality and see employees return to workplace, managing in a pandemic is not entirely over. We will continue to see further challenges associated with COVID-19, such as long Covid. This article explores the issue of long Covid and what it means for businesses.

DEADLINE ANNOUNCED FOR CARE WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED
August 2021 Update

Proof of vaccination status in England can be demonstrated either via the NHS app, or through the NHS website or by an official NHS COVID Pass letter. The NHS appointment card issued at the time of the vaccination given, does not count as evidence to having had the full vaccination, and at present, the Government are looking at how individuals who have had their vaccination abroad can evidence that is the case.