With the UK government having announced strict new stay at home requirements from 23 March 2020, all UK businesses will have to adapt swiftly to the new rules. Government assistance is available in the form of loans and grants. Particularly relevant is the recent announcement that employers will be entitled to a grant of 80% of employees' wages for employees who would otherwise be laid off as a result of the crisis.
This guidance note takes employers through some of the issues which they will need to consider. This note is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice as each employer's circumstances will differ. In particular, given that guidance is rapidly changing and more guidance and new laws are expected, please ensure you obtain up to date advice on any issue before taking action.
This document was updated on 7 April 2020 to cover the revised HMRC guidance on furloughing employees under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, as published on 4 April 2020. Please ensure you are downloading the most up to date copy of the document below.
This document covers:
- Government guidance on Covid-19
- Statutory sick pay (SSP)
- Absence and pay
- Homeworking
- Vunerable staff
- Mandatory Isolation
- Caring responsibilities and childcare
- Health and safety and an employer's duty of care
- Policies and procedures
- Emergency volunteering leave
- Collective redundancy, changing terms and lay-off
- Travel
- Data protection issues
- The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing)
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.