Commentary and analysis

All items: Health and safety

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Lifting the lockdown: Permanent homeworking arrangements

    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.

  • Investigations and Covid-19: employers need a pandemic-proof toolkit

    Date:
    27 May 2020

    Lockdown has presented difficulties for companies involved in internal investigations, dealing with whistleblowers, grievance claims and disciplinary processes. Ivor Adair examines the latest Acas guidance on the subject and explains the key issues and solutions.

  • The evolution of the furlough scheme: Employers' next steps

    Date:
    26 May 2020

    Although guidance on the next phases of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is not expected until later this month, employers need to start planning what their workforces will look like now, writes Mark Kaye.

  • Is it 'associative discrimination' to ask staff living with shielded persons to return to work?

    Date:
    22 May 2020

    Employers could be exposing themselves to allegations of discrimination if they require employees who live with a clinically vulnerable person to return to work. Sophie Vanhegan examines the risks.

About this category

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

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