The Government has provided guidelines for Employers as to how they can prepare their workplaces for employees to safely return to work. There are 8 different sets of guidelines for different types of workplace settings however there are 5 key points that all employers should follow:
Employees should work from home, if they can
All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. However, for those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, the message is that employees should go to work. Employees are being encouraged to make contact with their employers to confirm when their workplace will open again however, employers should ideally make contact with their employees.
Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website and the Government expects all businesses with over 50 employees to do so.
Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one-way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.
Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.
Reinforcing cleaning processes
Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.
The different guides for each type of workplace can be found here. They include a downloadable notice which employers should display in their workplaces to show employees, customers and other visitors to the workplace, that they have followed this guidance.
If you need advice and assistance with regard to implementing these changes, please contact us.