How to manage returning to work during the coronavirus pandemic

Author: Susie Munro

Summary

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• Support employees to work from home if they can.
• Consult the government guidance relevant to your type of workplace and location in the UK.
• Carry out a risk assessment for each workplace.
• Put in place social distancing measures and consider appropriate mitigating actions to reduce the risk as far as reasonably practicable.
• Understand the difference between PPE and face coverings and decide what, if any, measures are necessary for your workplace.
• Support employees to avoid using public transport when travelling to and from work.
• Maintain support for employees' wellbeing and be aware of the need to protect mental health as well as physical safety.
• Plan how to communicate to all employees about the new measures and processes in place.
• Be particularly cautious about the timing of a return to the workplace for employees with underlying health conditions, those who are over age 70 and those who are pregnant.
• Consider how to accommodate employees who have childcare responsibilities that prevent them returning to work.
• If an employee refuses to return to work, investigate the reasons and try to manage their concerns.
• Understand the data protection and privacy implications if considering a programme of testing or health monitoring.
• Put in place contingency plans for the possibility of a further period of lockdown.