NORI HR Senior Advisor Lizzie Knowles takes a look at the key questions employers are asking at this difficult time.
Correct as of 28th July (please be aware this is an ever changing situation, as advised by the UK Government)
On the 16th August 2021, those who have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks, or those under the age of 18, will no longer be required to self-isolate. Rather, they will be advised by track and trace that they must take a PCR test. Only if the results come back positive will the individual have to isolate for 10 days.
However, in the meantime the original self-isolation rules will still be enforced. On the 7th July over half million people had been ‘pinged’ by the NHS test and trace app and told to self-isolate.
But with over half a million people out of the workforce, where does this leave struggling businesses?
This question all depends on how the employee is contacted. If they are pinged on the NHS App, currently it is guidance that they should self-isolate and take a lateral flow / PCR test.
If they are contacted directly by Track and Trace it is then illegal for anyone who needs to self-isolate to attend work, risking a £1,000 fine if they do so. It is also illegal for an employer to knowingly allow employees to attend work when they should be self-isolating.
If it is appropriate, then those employees who can work from home must work from home. However, if that is not possible, then the employee will need to be absent from work for 10 days (from the contact with the positive person).
Employees who cannot work from home and are self-isolating can claim statutory sick pay (SSP) if they earn above the lower earnings limit. The usual SSP qualifying period has been waived, and employees will be eligible for SSP from day one of isolation.
Potentially, for those employees who have been employed before 30th October 2020, employers may be able to claim furlough pay.
Alternatively, employees can agree to use their annual leave if they have any available.
No. Unless you have too few staff to run your business, or unless you are in breach of other health and safety rules then you do not need to close your business if an employee has tested positive for COVID.
Thorough cleaning should be conducted to reduce the risk of further infections.
To download the NHS Covid-19 app, visit https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/
To view more articles in our free to access HR Toolkit and Video’s click here
This information is being regularly updated by the government and is correct as of 28th July 2021. If any employers need support with Pingdemic questions, to get the latest information, contact us at NORI HR and Employment Law for advice on 01254 947829
