Our Employees Are Back! – How Do I Return My Employees Safely?
As businesses work towards reopening in part or full, and mindful of government advice and changing restrictions, employers must plan for any return to the workplace in a way that cares for their people and safeguards their health and wellbeing. As the UK progresses through the government roadmap to easing restrictions and getting the country back to 'normality' as much as possible employers will need to plan for their employees gradual return to the workplace. Employers should note that the timetable and rules set out in any ‘roadmap’ for easing lockdown are still subject to review and it is essential to keep up to date with any further changes during the progressive easing of lockdown.
Where a return to the workplace is necessary or possible under the latest easing of restrictions, at the heart of any plans should be a commitment to support flexible and remote working where possible, and the provision of support for physical and mental health for workers.
The Government's advice to work from home wherever possible (expected to last until June or July 2021), offers two options:
- Supporting working from home until lockdown restrictions or social distancing is relaxed
- Where working from home is not possible, facilitating a return to the workplace in line with COVID-secure workplace guidance.
Where home working is not possible it is advisable to make your workplace COVID-secure. The HSE website provides guidance to employers based on the industry they operate within however the following guidelines are applicable across all industries.
1. Risk Assessment
2. Social Distancing
3. Cleaning, Hygiene & Handwashing
4. Ventilation & Air Conditioning
5. Provide Information
6. Working From Home
7. Protection of Vulnerable Workers
Our follow up blog post will delve into these guidelines to help you make the return of your employees to the workplace as safe as possible.
We at Bright Contracts can help you get back to the office in line with government guidelines and give your employees the confidence to return with the aid of our COVID-19 policies - temporary working from home and our vaccine policy which are available along with a number of other policies in our Bright Contracts software. If you wish to avail of a free trial you can do so here or you can book a demo of the software with one of our Bright Contracts consultants. To purchase Bright Contracts & download the software you can do so here.
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