Flexible working is a way of working that meets an employee`s needs, such as flexible start and end times or working from home. Employers also have health, safety and well-being responsibilities when employees work remotely, such as from home. A range of member support measures – from our IT procurement guide to navigating the GDPR to using the Law Society logo for your business. Determine what processes, equipment, and practice areas require employees to be physically in the office and what can still be done at home. From there, you can calculate what resources you need in the office and on what basis – full-time/part-time. We continue to encourage employers to allow hybrid and flexible working. This can have benefits beyond the need to fight COVID-19, such as: supporting sustainable business and organizational processes. Employers and employees are best placed to understand the balance between working from home, flexible working and hybrid working through discussions and, where appropriate, with trade unions. Advice and support for employers on how to apply flexible working arrangements is available from a variety of organisations including Flexibility Works Scotland, Timewise and CIPD. Many workers in public professions such as shops, bars and restaurants have already returned to work. Office workers are among those who may soon be asked to do the same. Added information about immunization in the Workforce Planning and Support section. It is necessary to protect those who come into contact with the virus as a result of their professional activities.
There are a number of other things employers can consider to keep work safe. The Scottish Government`s guidelines assume that workers who worked from home during the first lockdown in March 2020 should do so now. By law, employers must take all reasonable steps to minimize the risk of the incidence and spread of COVID-19. The guidelines emphasize that this includes helping employees work from home for roles that can be done remotely. It also reminds employers that they should not ask or direct workers to commit a crime (such as leaving home to do work that could be done at home). Failure to comply with an employer`s health and safety obligations may result in enforcement action under public health regulations. Ensure clear, consistent and regular communication for employees, customers and contractors. Make sure all your colleagues are aware and trained on the new protocols before returning to the office, especially regarding the new procedures for getting to work. The guide has been restructured and renamed to reflect the most recent guidelines. Used to be “more secure businesses and jobs”. Includes new sections on ventilation and fair work. The Welsh government says “working from home remains important”, but the legal requirement to do so has been removed.
COVID-19 will remain a public health issue, and workplace guidelines have been replaced by public health advice. All workers have the right to ask for flexible working – not just parents and carers. Encourage feedback from your colleagues (you won`t have thought of everything!). There is no legal requirement to wear a face mask or face covering in England, Scotland or Wales. Learn more from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on: Update on workplace vaccinations and testing and other minor updates to employer and employee responsibilities and related information. This guide offers some general points to consider when planning your return to the office after the Covid-19 lockdown. It is up to any business or organization to create a plan that meets their specific needs. This guide is not a substitute for government advice or relevant legislation. Updated to reflect changes to restrictions and guidelines as of January 24. That could mean continuing to work from home or returning to work, Johnson said. Employers should discuss with their employees what to do and only bring them back to work when it is safe to do so.
Changes to other people`s work-from-home FAQs to reflect the most recent position. Employers need to be “very careful” to protect these people, says Tom Neil of the Acas arbitration service. Updated to include information about workplace testing on the workforce planning page. Wales and Scotland have separate recommendations for groups of workers who may be more at risk. A brief summary of return-to-work rules wherever you are in the UK. We will keep this article updated as things progress. Nicola Sturgeon has announced a series of measures to tighten lockdown restrictions in Scotland. These include the repetition of the legal obligation for individuals to work from home and a call for employers to support this obligation. Employees may be concerned that they have worked with someone with COVID-19. Employers can reassure them by clearly stating the steps they have taken to keep the workplace safe. While refusing to go to work is not necessarily legal protection, Johnson said parents and guardians who cannot return “must be defended and protected on that basis.” Some employers may still want to have a workplace policy for face coverings, or some employees may still want to wear it.
Employers should talk to employees and think about their organization`s policy. The pandemic has given people the opportunity to work in different ways. When talking to employees about their experiences, you can consider: the obligation to work from home in England has also been lifted. Are you looking forward to returning to the office or do you prefer to work permanently from home? If so, why? Share your experience via email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. The crisis likely affected employees unevenly, depending on their professional role and personal circumstances – some may have been on leave while others had an increased workload, some had (and still have) complex family responsibilities, while others may have been completely isolated. Involve your colleagues in planning and communicate updates to those who work from home and those who work in the office. While some will have concerns about returning to the office, others will be interested in returning. Think about employees who have family responsibilities. Employees who are clinically more at risk are strongly advised to work from home.
Employers should ensure that these individuals can continue to work from home, whether in their current or another role. Monitor the well-being of people working from home and help them stay in touch with the rest of the workforce, especially when the majority of their colleagues are on-site. Deploy devices that allow people to work efficiently and securely from home, such as remote access to work systems. While the HSE no longer expects COVID-19 control measures, employers must continue to consult with workers and their representatives on any changes they make that could impact health and safety. General Guidelines for Safer Workplaces – Checklist – 3. June 2021 removed from supporting documents To ensure workplace safety, employers and employees should follow the latest government guidelines to: Updated to reflect coverage and working from home requirements.