Welcome to our latest Coffee Break in which we look at the latest legal and practical developments for employers.
Covid-19 update: New public health guidance for workplaces
The UK Health Security Agency published on 1 April new guidance for employers and workforce managers in England on reducing the spread of infections, including Covid-19, in the workplace and which replaces the previous guidance on working safely during Covid-19.
Employers are expressly reminded of the importance of continuing "to comply with your legal obligations relating to health and safety, employment and equality duties" including the duty to provide a safe place of work and to not discriminate on a number of grounds, including disability. While there is no longer a requirement for most employers to explicitly consider Covid-19 in their statutory health and safety risk assessments, the guidance expressly states that "employers may choose to continue" to do so. Employers are also reminded that they have a duty to consult with their employees, or their representatives on health and safety matters and are referred to the HSE guidance on how to keep people safe and healthy at work.
Actions for employers
The guidance recommends a number of steps employers can take to reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including Covid-19, which include:
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