Category: News
COVID Guidance is changing
From 24 February 2022 the government is removing all remaining domestic Covid-19 restrictions in England. However, we need to remain vigilant and continue to take steps to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.
What should we do?
· Encourage everyone to get vaccinated.
· Ventilation – let fresh air into offices, workplaces, and meeting rooms.
· Consider wearing face coverings in communal areas.
· Anyone with Covid symptoms should get tested.
Be aware of the symptoms
· A high temperature
· A new, continuous cough
· A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
There is no longer a legal requirement to Isolate
There is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate if testing positive.
However, the virus is still with us, and it is important to consider a strategy for living with Covid-19. Employers have a duty of care, and should make every attempt to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees so far as is reasonably practicable.
General guidance
It is advisable that those who test positive should stay at home for a minimum of 5 days and avoid contact with other people if at all possible.
This could mean, working from home if they are able, or taking sickness absence if they feel unwell. Workers will no longer be required to tell their employers if they have to self-isolate.
After 5 days, a Lateral Flow Test should be taken, followed by another the next day, if both tests are negative, it is safe to return to work. Those who test positive should avoid contact with anyone, including those living in the same household.
The end of several support packages
From Thursday 24 February, the £500 payment for those on low incomes who test positive for Covid-19 will no longer be available.
The Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme closes for coronavirus related absences after 17 March 2022. Employers have up to and including 24 March 2022 to submit any final claims and amend claims they’ve already submitted.
From 24 March, employees with Covid will no longer be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) from day-one of their illness. SSP will only being paid on the fourth consecutive day of illness as for any other type of illness.
Free lateral flow tests will no longer be available, there is no government restrictions on the cost of test kits which currently cost approximately £5 each or less if purchased in bulk.
It is advisable but not mandatory to have lateral flow tests available in the workplace for those who show Covid symptoms.
Returning to the workplace
Over the last 2 years many employees have been working from home due to the pandemic, and many are now reluctant to return to the office. Is it therefore, reasonable to ask everyone to return to the workplace?
The short answer is yes. If the contract of employment states that the employee’s workplace is the office (or other work premises) then it is perfectly reasonable to request that they return.
Employers, however, have a legal duty to ensure that the workplace does not pose a risk to the employee’s health and safety and the following steps should be considered:
Distancing:
How close do people work together?
How much do they move around the workplace?
The more interaction and the closer the proximity, the higher the risk. Reduce the risk by social distancing where possible and encouraging face coverings in communal spaces.
Cleanliness:
How clean is your workplace?
Are touch points and shared surfaces cleaned regularly?
Is sanitiser available?
Are people washing their hands thoroughly and frequently?
Reduce the risk with thorough cleaning, making sanitiser available and encouraging employees and visitors to wash their hands regularly.
Ventilation:
Is there a good source of clean fresh air?
Reduce the risk by opening windows and doors if possible.
Hybrid working.
Consider flexible working / home working requests from employees and how this way of working may impact on the business.
Some employees may have genuine concerns about returning to the office. If employees have a ‘reasonable belief’ that their workplace poses a serious or imminent threat, our advice is to meet with these individuals and listen to their concerns. Each situation should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
The team at Access2 Human Resources are always available to advise on such matters, call us on 01722 325833, email us at ,info@access2hr.co.uk or book a ,video chat online to discuss any concerns.
Tracey Osmond HR Services Manager