The UK Government has started to gradually ease lockdown measures, with non-essential retail being allowed to re-open, and employers now looking at how to put their return to work plans in place.
Office spaces will need to be restructured to accommodate social distancing measures and health & safety requirements, in accordance with the COVID-Secure guidance, while communicating these changes is a key component of staff safely returning to work.
According to the latest research, 36 per cent of employers in the UK stated that implementing safety measures to comply with the Government’s COVID-secure guidance is the biggest challenge when returning to work, while 29 per cent said that addressing staff concerns about the return to work was a key challenge.
Employers also face further challenges, with the introduction of ‘flexible furloughing’ from 1 July allowing the opportunity to bring furloughed workers back part-time, but these decisions present a challenge in itself.
One-quarter of businesses have stated that they are considering redundancies or a restructuring of working hours, with 24 per cent of employers saying that they have implemented pay cuts, or have plans to do so, with 17 per cent altering work patterns.
The situation will be different for each employer, with considerations to be made on how to deal with a reduction in work, bringing back furloughed employees, and redesigning the office to accommodate staff in accordance with the COVID-secure guidelines.
Reviewing employment contracts will be an important step for employers while seeking expert legal advice will also ensure that obligations are met, and reduce the risk of any disputes.
For help and advice, contact our expert team today.