COVID-19

Living safely with COVID-19: new guidance published

*** Updated at 6 pm on 1 April 2022 following publication of the Guidance on reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace. Following the Government’s announcement in February 2022 of its Living with COVID-19 strategy, today sees the removal of the final COVID-19 measures in England including – Removal of free …

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Right to work checks: Latest developments for employers

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, on 30 March 2020 the government introduced a modified right to work (RTW) scheme to assist employers to more easily check the status of prospective employees to legally work in the UK.  The government has confirmed that the modified scheme will remain in place until 30 …

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Employee wellbeing: Life events – Are you an employer of choice?

The business case for employers reviewing their strategy on employee support DLA Piper’s Employment team is publishing a series of articles exploring the business case for employers reviewing their current approach to important life events which impact on employees in the workplace. In this first article of the series, we consider the overarching rationale for …

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COVID-19: Government announces end of work from home guidance and mandatory face coverings

Boris Johnson has announced that England is to return to Plan A next week, marking the end of the current Plan B restrictions. This means that from Thursday 27 January 2022: Wearing of face masks in the current designated indoor settings and on public transport will no longer be a mandatory legal obligation. Instead, wearing …

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COVID-19: Government implements Plan B-lite with new measures which impact on employers

In an unexpected turn of events, the government has announced that it will be bringing in new COVID-19 restrictions for England this week. The news follows significant concerns over the emergence of a new coronavirus variant.  The government has confirmed, however, that it will not yet be moving fully to its COVID-19 Plan B – …

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The COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Plan: Key points for employers

The UK government has outlined its COVID-19 response for autumn and winter for England and stated that the main line of defence to the coronavirus pandemic is now vaccination rather than lockdown.  The government’s response includes both a Plan A – the intended approach which will be taken through autumn and winter – and a …

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CJRS: Less than 1 month until close – Key redundancy considerations for employers

Over seventeen months since its first launch in March 2020 – and following a number of surprise extensions along the way – the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has now entered its final month. It will draw to a close on 30 September 2021.  Over 11.5 million jobs have been supported by the scheme, allowing …

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New rules on self-isolation: What employers need to know

Today marks a landmark moment in the self-isolation rules implemented to help manage the coronavirus pandemic in England. Now, close contacts of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will not have to automatically self-isolate for 10 days, provided they are fully vaccinated* or are aged under 18 years 6 months. This development is hugely …

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Return to workplaces: key considerations for employers – survey results

On 16 July we launched our Return to workplaces survey seeking views on what employers are planning for their workforce as more people return to the workplace. Over 90 organisations responded, revealing an overall picture of a cautious return with a wide range of COVID safety measures remaining in place for some time to come. …

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Guidance published on working safely from 19 July as employers prepare for return to workplaces

Ahead of the move to Step 4 of the Roadmap on 19 July, the Government has published guidance for businesses on working safely during COVID-19 and reducing the risk in workplaces. The following guidance has been published: Step 4 overview Construction and other outdoor work Events and attractions Hotels and guest accommodation Offices, factories and …

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Government confirms plans for Step 4 of its COVID-19 Roadmap

*UPDATE 12 JULY 2021* The Government has today confirmed that it will move to step 4 of the COVID-19 Roadmap on Monday 19 July 2021.   However,  the emphasis of today’s announcement has shifted slightly with the public being urged to continue to act carefully and to remain cautious while the number of coronavirus cases is …

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Delay to further easing of lockdown restrictions means ‘work from home’ guidance continues

Today the government has formally confirmed the information, leaked in part to the media over the weekend, that it is potentially postponing full easing of lockdown restrictions in England by  a period of 4 weeks. Subject to a review in 2 weeks’ time, this means that it is likely there will be no change to …

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New COVID-19 ‘cautious and irreversible’ roadmap announced

The Prime Minister has now outlined his “cautious and irreversible” roadmap out of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The roadmap applies to England only. While employers may be disappointed that there will no announcements on the continued financial support for businesses until the Budget on 3 March 2021, there is now at least some clarity on the …

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Coronavirus: Tiers, travel and Christmas bubbles – the latest COVID-19 developments impacting on employers

On 23 November 2020, the Prime Minster announced that England’s second national lockdown would come to an end on 2 December 2020 and that, on this date, England would revert to a revised and strengthened tier system of local restrictions, allowing many businesses to reopen. End of second national lockdown Whilst the 2 December 2020 …

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Coronavirus: Updated guidance for employers on the extended CJRS impacts on notices of termination

Update: On 13 November the Government published updated guidance, together with the Treasury Direction implementing the extended scheme.  Both the guidance and the Direction make it clear that for claim periods starting on or after 1 December 2020 employers cannot claim for any days on or after 1 December 2020 during which the furloughed employee …

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