Commentary and analysis

All items: Health and safety

  • Coronavirus: Promoting employee engagement as the lockdown is lifted

    Date:
    2 July 2020

    The return to the workplace has started for many organisations, but that workplace is likely to look very different to the pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) one, and HR professionals are already looking at how their practices will need to change to adapt.

  • What are the implications of the test and trace service for employers?

    Date:
    26 June 2020

    Employers are being asked to "play their part" in the NHS test and trace service by encouraging workers to comply with requests to self-isolate and to support them while they are in isolation. Jo Broadbent, Counsel Knowledge Lawyer at Hogan Lovells, explores some of the legal and practical issues for employers of the test and trace service.

  • Seven things employers need to know about flexible furlough

    Date:
    16 June 2020

    Late last week the Government published the first full guidance on the new flexible furlough scheme coming into force on 1 July. Joanne Moseley, senior associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, examines the key details.

  • Navigating health and safety obligations during the coronavirus pandemic

    Date:
    11 June 2020

    Government measures intended to reduce health risks during the coronavirus pandemic add a new layer of complexity to employers' health and safety responsibilities. Louis Wustemann examines what employers need to do to remain compliant.

  • Workforce planning during coronavirus: Strategies for planning in flexibility

    Date:
    11 June 2020

    The uncertainty around coronavirus (COVID-19) has made decisions around employment extremely difficult. We show how HR can build flexibility into the workforce.

  • Lifting the lockdown: Towards permanent homeworking

    Date:
    8 June 2020

    Many organisations moved to large-scale homeworking overnight when coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown arrangements were introduced. But as governments ease restrictions, some are now actively considering whether or not the arrangements could be made permanent.

  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: What amounts to work?

    Date:
    28 May 2020

    A lack of definitive guidance, and the potentially serious consequences of inadvertently asking a furloughed employee to work, means that many employers are still uncertain about what amounts to working under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. Jo Broadbent, Counsel Knowledge Lawyer at Hogan Lovells, provides legal and practical guidance on the issues that employers need to consider.

  • Fraudulent claims and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

    Date:
    28 May 2020

    The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has already paid out more than £15 billion in grants. Given the sums involved, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recognises there is potential for fraud - and has seen around 800 reports of fraudulent applications. Graham Brown reports on the consequences for unscrupulous employers.

  • Coronavirus: Physical fitness and the return to work

    Date:
    28 May 2020

    With many people either working from home or furloughed for the past two months, there has been much discussion about the impact of lockdown on employees' mental health, but what about the effect on their physical health and what could this mean for the return to work?

  • Coronavirus and carrying over annual leave

    Date:
    27 May 2020

    With employers required to top up furloughed employees' pay for any annual leave they take, many will be anxious to avoid this extra expense at the current time. However, the result could be a glut of holiday requests towards the end of the leave year. Consultant editor Darren Newman looks at how the coronavirus amendments to the Working Time Regulations may help employers facing this situation.

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Commentary and analysis: HR and legal information and guidance relating to health and safety.

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