05 January 2021 | Updated 06 January 2021
England has entered its toughest nationwide lockdown since March, with Boris Johnson warning that the weeks ahead “will be the hardest yet”.
Alan Price, employment law expert and CEO at HR software and employment law advice service, BrightHR looks at what this means for employers and employees.
Price is known as an industry thought leader in HR and employment law. His authoritative commentary on SME and people management issues has been featured in media outlets such as BBC News, BBC Five Live, Sky News and The Telegraph. Last year, he was named the Perk box HR Hero of 2019.
"Work from home guidance has already changed several times for England, with previous wording providing a degree of flexibility to employers around whether staff could work from home and do so effectively. Now, the guidance is much clearer. People should only leave their home for work where it is ‘unreasonable’ for them to work from home."
Working From Home Guidance Changes Again
With the new coronavirus variant spreading across England, it seemed inevitable that we would face yet another lockdown in early 2021, this itself coming when most businesses in the country were shut due to tier 4 restrictions anyway. In his sombre message to the country last night (4 January), the Prime Minister made clear that this lockdown is stricter than the one we saw in November, being more akin to the original one back in March of last year. Schools remain closed this time, guidance on shielding and working from home has also been amended.
Work from home guidance has already changed several times for England, with previous wording providing a degree of flexibility to employers around whether staff could work from home and do so effectively. Now, the guidance is much clearer. People should only leave their home for work where it is ‘unreasonable’ for them to work from home.
The knock-on effect of this is that employers will need to consider if any of their employees can reasonably work from home and take steps to implement the change. Employees are certainly more likely to encourage management to re-think their approach to this, and if a business is going to keep staff attending a workplace, they need to ensure they have followed all advice on making it COVID-secure.
Clinically Vulnerable Employees
In another significant development, individuals are once again being asked to shield in England and are entitled to receive statutory sick pay (SSP) for the period of time that they cannot work. There are a number of options open to a company in this situation. Those with less than 250 members of staff can still make use of the SSP Rebate Scheme, which funds up to two weeks of SSP for coronavirus absences. Alternatively, the furlough scheme remains an option for all businesses to now use if eligible, even if they have not done so before and will do so until April.
The government remain hopeful that these restrictions will be lifted by February. However, this is dependent on a number of factors, in particular the success of the vaccine roll-out, and employers must keep up to date with all developments.
Picture: a photograph of a sign stating "Sorry we're closed"
Article written by Alan Price | Published 05 January 2021
Share
Related Articles
UK Government Introduces Day-One Right to Request Flexible Working
Millions of employees across the country are set to benefit from new legislation that means flexible working can be requested from the first day of employment.
The...
Read Full Article
It’s Now Illegal in Portugal for Your Boss To Text You After Work
We all have the right to disconnect from work – but the Portuguese government has gone a step further in ensuring this.
Portugal's Socialist Party has...
Read Full Article
The Right to Disconnect at Work – Is it A Legal Matter?
A European Parliament majority has voted for a law that grants workers the right to digitally disconnect from work without facing negative repercussions.
MEPs are...
Read Full Article
ACAS Shares Advice on Hybrid Working
ACAS has shared new advice for employers wanting to support hybrid working and execute it fairly.
The pandemic has shown us that not everyone is treated...
Read Full Article
Post-Furlough Anxiety – Reassuring FMs Returning to Work
Almost half (44 per cent) of furloughed FM professionals are anxious about their return to work, according to recruiter Randstad.
A poll of almost 8,000 workers from...
Read Full Article
COVID-19 Testing in the Workplace – What Do Employers Need to Consider?
With businesses interested in conducting their own private workplace coronavirus testing for employees, what do employers need to bear in mind?
The government’s...
Read Full Article
5 Ways Employers Can Help Their Staff During the National Lockdown
January can be a tough month under normal circumstances, so how can organisations support their employees during this latest national lockdown?
As of today (Tuesday 5...
Read Full Article
Trades Union Congress Urges Employers to Furlough Parents Affected by School Closures
The TUC is calling on employers to offer furlough to all parents affected by the closure of schools, as all secondary schools will remain closed this week.
The union...
Read Full Article
Another Furlough Extension - What Happens Now?
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been officially extended until 31 March 2021, but what else do employers need to know?
Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, explains...
Read Full Article
Winter Lockdown – Keeping Warm Whilst Working From Home
With colder days ahead and lockdown forcing many to work from home, energy costs will increase to keep the house warm and comfortable.
Unless employees are offered an...
Read Full Article