What do the changes mean for employers? As part of its “Living with Covid” plan, from Thursday 24 February 2022, the Government is removing the legal requirement to self-isolate for those with Covid symptoms. Until now anyone who has Covid symptoms and tests positive (via PCR or lateral flow) has [...]
Questions and answers based on guidance updated on 30 March 2021 What do employers need to do before staff return to the workplace? 1) All employers should ensure that they have carried out a Covid risk assessment similar to the one here: Example Workplace Risk Assessment 2) Ensure your workplace is Covid-secure by [...]
The latest Government guidance has declared that extremely clinically vulnerable people no longer need to shield from 1 April 2021. The guidance clarifies that from 1 April 2021 those who are extremely vulnerable: should continue to work from home where possible should go to work where they cannot work from home are no [...]
A key date emerged two days ago in the government guidance for extending furlough: furlough / flexi-furlough agreements must be entered into by Friday 13 November 2020 at the latest for extended furlough to be claimed from 1 November 2020. Here is the link to the guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extension-to-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme/extension-of-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme Section 3.2 of the guidance states: To be [...]
Part-time furloughing Organisations can furlough staff part-time from tomorrow, 1 July 2020. The Treasury Direction released on Friday states that a written agreement must be in place with the employee before they are “flexibly-furloughed”. Agreements were required with full-time furloughed employees, but you will need to vary the terms or ask employees to sign a new agreement [...]
It’s tough being a working parent at the best of times, but the lack of school and childcare options during the Covid-19 lockdown and its aftermath has tested the patience of parents, and many employers, to the limit. Not only are many children unable to attend school and nursery, but school clubs and [...]
The furlough scheme (CJRS) changes on 1 July as follows: Employees can work part-time and be furloughed for the remainder of the time Employees no longer need to be furloughed for a minimum of 3 weeks. For a summary of the changes for July click here. For an example of how to claim for part-time furloughing [...]
Today is the last chance to place employees on furlough leave for the first time. Anyone who has never been furloughed by the end of today will not be eligible for furlough leave in future under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. That said, news broke yesterday that an exception will be made for parents [...]
Friday afternoon at 5pm is no longer time for Crackerjack (apologies for those who are too young to remember that children’s TV show) ……….. it’s the time for the next Furlough Scheme update from the Treasury. The following headlines were announced: The CJRS will remain open until the end of October 2020. Furloughed [...]
Following two months of lockdown, the Government has put in place plans to get the nation back to work. Below we summarise the guidance to employers on preparing workplaces for staff to return to work. We also address the use of PPE in the workplace and provide an update on the furlough scheme [...]