Unpaid Leave: Guide for Employers
Unpaid leave is where an employee takes time off from their job without pay. In some situations, as in the case of time off to care for a dependent in an emergency, you must grant the time off, although you can decide whether it is paid or unpaid. In other situations, such as a request […]
Long COVID Sickness Absence Guide
For a growing number of people, coronavirus continues to cause a range of symptoms that last for several weeks or even months post-infection, leading to a diagnosis of long COVID. The symptoms can be so debilitating that it impacts their ability to work, resulting in long term sickness absence. The following guide for employers provides […]
Rest Breaks at Work (Employers’ Guide)
The rules on taking breaks at work are covered by the Working Time Regulations 1998 and your employee’s own contract of employment. Whether or not these breaks are paid is entirely your decision as the employer, and should be stated in the employee’s contract. Most employees have a right to a break of twenty minutes […]
Can Employers Make COVID Vaccinations Mandatory?
Is a ‘no jab, no job’ policy lawful? The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted employers across the UK to reassess their health and safety practices to ensure their workplaces are clean and safe for their workforce, customers and visitors. This has resulted in strict hygiene measures being introduced to control the spread of coronavirus within the […]
No Quarantine for Fully Vaccinated US & EU Travellers
Double vaccinated US and EU travellers will no longer have to quarantine for ten days if arriving into the UK from an amber list country. Under current rules, only those who were vaccinated in the UK can avoid quarantine when arriving from amber list countries. The new rules take effect from 4am on Monday 2 […]
COVID Vaccine To Be Mandatory For Care Home Workers
The government has confirmed new regulations are coming into force in England introducing a mandatory requirement for care home workers to have received double COVID vaccinations from 11 November 2021. The announcement included details of a 16-week grace period starting on 22 July to allow care home workers to have their first vaccine by 16 […]
Employees Refusing to Return to Work Due to COVID
With the recent lifting of lockdown and public health restrictions, employers can start to plan a return to workplaces for furloughed employees or those who have been working from home. Still, some employees may have ongoing concerns about the spread of coronavirus within the workplace, refusing to return where they feel unsafe, especially if they […]
COVID-19 Return to Work Mental Health
For staff who are being asked to return to the workplace now that the government mandate to work from home has been removed, this is likely to give rise to a number of concerns and anxieties, not least because coronavirus remains a serious health risk. For some, especially those who are clinically vulnerable or living […]
COVID Return to Work Risk Assessment Guide
With the recent lifting of lockdown restrictions, many employers will now be asking staff to return to the workplace. Ensuring the health and safety at work of staff and visitors remains paramount throughout this transition period. The following guide for employers looks at how to conduct a COVID return to work risk assessment prior to […]
Preparing for the End of Furlough
The CJRS, or furlough scheme, is now scheduled to run until 30th September 2021. The scheme was previously due to end in October 2020 and then April 2021, but has been extended in light of the continued challenges of the pandemic and the mandatory closure of businesses in many sectors of the economy, including leisure, […]