Can employers make COVID vaccinations mandatory?
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted employers across the UK to reassess their health and safety practices to ensure their workplaces are clean and safe for their workforce, customers and visitors. This has resulted in strict hygiene measures being introduced to control the spread of coronavirus within the workplace. But is a ‘no jab, no job’ […]
Preparing for the end of furlough
The CJRS, or furlough scheme, is now scheduled to run until 30th September 2021. The scheme was previously due to end in October 2020 and then April 2021, but has been extended in light of the continued challenges of the pandemic and the mandatory closure of businesses in many sectors of the economy, including leisure, […]
Managing return to work after COVID
Where an employee is returning to work after COVID – whether they have made a full recovery or are suffering with so-called long COVID – there will be a number of issues for the employer to consider. Employers are under a duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect their workforce, customers and any […]
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (HR guide)
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) runs until 30 September 2021. Extended Job Retention Scheme The Chancellor has effectively reverted the scheme back to the August provisions, namely, that the Government will cover 80% of furloughed employees’ wages for businesses affected by the COVID-19 restrictions. Employers will be required to pay national insurance and pension contributions. […]
Job Support Scheme FAQs
The Job Support Scheme will replace the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. The CJRS has been extended until 31 March 2021. The JSS was developed by the Government to provide critical financial support to businesses during what is expected to be an extremely challenging winter for many sectors of the UK economy. Under the new Job […]
Employee refusing to return from furlough
With the recent relaxation of the lockdown rules, an increasing number of businesses are beginning to re-open in the UK, meaning that for employees who have been furloughed under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, their temporary leave of absence will soon be coming to an end. As employers respond to changes to the furlough […]
Flexible furlough scheme: how does it work?
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is changing from 1 July 2020. Under the new rules, flexible furlough is permitted, allowing employers to bring employees who have previously been furloughed back into work for any amount of time and any shift pattern, while they remain on furlough for hours not worked. Changes also take effect impacting […]
How to unfurlough staff
If you are currently receiving financial assistance for furloughed workers through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), you may be looking at how to unfurlough staff in preparation for the return to work, and ahead of the scheme’s closure in October 2020. The process of bringing workers back from furlough carries both legal and HR […]
Notice pay for furloughed workers?
If employees have agreed to accept 80% of their salary while on furlough, is their notice pay also paid at 80%, or does it revert to 100% under the usual employment law rules? As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ability to furlough workers under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, various legal issues […]
Managing absences: Coronavirus guide for HR
The disruption to business caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is unprecedented. In this article, we consider various scenarios in which an employee may be absent from work and what are their rights during those periods, with practical guidance for employers managing absences due to the coronavirus crisis. Sickness absence due to coronavirus If an employee […]
