Current government advice is for everyone to try and stop unnecessary contact with other people – ‘social distancing’. This includes:
Employers should support their workforce to take these steps. This might include:
The government has issued guidance that strongly advises people who are at a higher risk of catching coronavirus (‘vulnerable people’) to take strict social distancing measures.
Employers must be especially careful and take extra steps for anyone in their workforce who is in a vulnerable group. They include, but are not limited to, those who:
Find out more about social distancing and vulnerable people on GOV.UK.
Where work can be done at home, the employer could:
If an employer and employee agree to working from home, the employer should:
Find out more about:
Some people might feel they do not want to go to work if they’re afraid of catching coronavirus. This could particularly be the case for those who are at higher risk.
An employer should listen to any concerns staff may have and should take steps to protect everyone.
For example, they could offer extra car parking where possible so that people can avoid using public transport.
If an employee still does not want to go in, they may be able to arrange with their employer to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave. The employer does not have to agree to this.
If an employee refuses to attend work without a valid reason, it could result in disciplinary action.
Find out more about absence from work.
Employees and workers must receive any Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) due to them if they need to self-isolate because:
If someone has symptoms and lives alone, they must self-isolate for 7 days.
If someone lives in a household and is the first to have symptoms, they must self-isolate for 7 days. Everyone else in their household must self-isolate for 14 days.
If anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, the person with the new symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days. This is regardless of where they are in the 14-day isolation period.
Find guidance for households with possible coronavirus on GOV.UK.
Find more advice about self-isolating:
Employers might offer more than SSP – ‘contractual’ sick pay. Find out more about sick pay.
If an employee or worker cannot work, they should tell their employer:
Employees in self-isolation need to follow their workplace’s usual sickness reporting process.
Employees can ‘self-certify’ for the first 7 days off work. This means following their workplace process but not having to get a note from a doctor or NHS 111.
Those self-isolating due to coronavirus for more than 7 days can get an online self-isolation note from the:
It’s a good idea to check your workplace’s policy on absence from work. Employers might need to be flexible if asking for self-isolation notes. For example, an employee with severe symptoms might not be able to get a note straightaway.
An employer may want to plan in case they need to close the workplace temporarily.
Some employers have been instructed to close by the government. Including cafes, pubs, restaurants, leisure centres, cinemas and theatres.
This might be a difficult time for both employers and staff. It’s a good idea to make sure staff have a way to communicate with the employer and other people they work with.
The government has announced new financial support for employers. This will cover most of the wages of staff who have been temporarily sent home because there is no work.
We’re monitoring government announcements to review our advice.
Check the latest coronavirus advice on GOV.UK.
In some situations, an employer might need to close down their business for a short time, or ask staff to reduce their contracted hours.
If the employer thinks they’ll need to do this, it’s important to talk with staff as early as possible and throughout the closure.
Unless it says in the contract or is agreed otherwise, they still need to pay their employees for this time.
Employees who are laid off and are not entitled to their usual pay might be entitled to a ‘statutory guarantee payment’ of up to £29 a day from their employer.
This is limited to a maximum of 5 days in any period of 3 months. On days when a guarantee payment is not payable, employees might be able to claim Jobseekers Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.
Find out more about:
Employers have the right to tell employees and workers when to take holiday if they need to. For example, they can decide to shut for a week and everyone has to use their holiday entitlement.
If the employer does decide to do this, they must tell staff at least twice as many days before as the amount of days they need people to take.
For example, if they want to close for 5 days, they should tell everyone at least 10 days before.
This could affect holiday staff have already booked or planned. So employers should:
Employees are entitled to time off work to help someone who depends on them (a ‘dependant’) in an unexpected event or emergency. This could apply to situations to do with coronavirus.
A dependant does not necessarily live with the person, for example they could be an elderly neighbour or relative who relies on the person for help.
There’s no statutory right to pay for this time off, but some employers might offer pay depending on the contract or workplace policy.
The amount of time off an employee takes to look after someone must be reasonable for the situation. For example, they might take 2 days off to start with, and if more time is needed, they can book holiday.
If a dependant such as a partner, child or relative in the same household gets coronavirus symptoms, they should receive Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) as a minimum for this time. They’ll also need to follow self-isolation guidance on GOV.UK.
Find out more about time off for dependants.
As schools in England, Scotland and Wales will be closing, this will have an affect on care and working arrangements. This may be an anxious time for parents, and employers will need to be planning cover at work.
If employees need emergency time off for child care or to make new arrangements, they can use:
Employers and employees can consider these steps:
If any agreement is made, it’s a good idea for it to be in writing.
If someone becomes unwell in the workplace with coronavirus symptoms, they should:
If the unwell person lives alone, they must self-isolate for 7 days. If they live with others and is the first to have symptoms, they must self-isolate for 7 days. Everyone else in their household must self-isolate for 14 days.
If anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, the person with the new symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days. This is regardless of where they are in the 14-day isolation period.
You can get more advice or help by either:
It’s best for the unwell person to use their own mobile phone or computer to access these services.
If someone with coronavirus comes to work, the workplace does not necessarily have to close, but they should follow cleaning advice.
See advice for cleaning workplaces on GOV.UK.
Employers should consider some simple steps to help protect the health and safety of everyone during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It’s good practice for employers to:
Employers must not single anyone out unfairly. For example, they must not treat an employee differently because of their race or ethnicity.
They should look out for any bullying, discrimination or harassment happening in their workplace and address it immediately.
Find out more about discrimination, bullying and harassment.
To get more coronavirus advice, you can:
If you live in Scotland or Wales, keep up to date with your government’s coronavirus advice on the websites for the:
Published: 20th March 2020
Source: acas
Page URL: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
