New rules, known as Plan B come into effect on this coming Monday. That is, work from home where you can. Wear face masks except where it is impractical to do so. It’s easy to complain that we are once again left to interpret ambiguous rules but we probably all...

Covid unlocking. How do employers handle this when its recommendations rather than rules? This week we see an end to the general restrictions which have been gradually melting away over the past months. However you personally feel about it, the approach of using recommendations rather than rules leaves a certain...

As of 1stApril the clinically extremely vulnerable are not required to shield and are no longer entitled to SSP for doing so. The letter being sent out by the Department of Health and Social Care advises that the rules of lockdown continue to apply, and that employers are obliged to...

This update is written and posted on 3rd March 2021 and will quickly become out of date once further details are known. We will endeavour to update it as soon as information becomes available. The Chancellor has today announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (commonly known as furlough) will...

We have already received enquiries from employers asking whether they can insist on employees being vaccinated against Covid-19 and either not employing or dismissing those who refuse. There is not currently any legal requirement for people to have the Covid-19 vaccination, and we would be surprised if it became mandatory....

There have been an increased number of queries recently concerning whether furlough payments are available in relation to employees who are shielding due to being extremely vulnerable, and those who have to stay at home to care for others. Updated guidance by HMRC states that the answer is YES, such...

England and Scotland have returned to lockdown today, with the instruction being given that those who can should work from home. Also those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should shield again. As a reminder, the furlough scheme is still available although if businesses are furloughing staff they must have this...

The new extended Furlough Scheme runs on very similar lines to the last scheme, except that HMRC are beginning to toughen up on its use, and seek out its abuse. IN ORDER TO QUALIFY there must be a contractually binding agreement in place. It need not be in writing, but...

As a firm, we are seeing two unforeseen consequences of COVID-19 emerging which are placing a risk to employers which needs to be treated seriously. The first risk is where disgruntled employees are now being made redundant, or treated in a way that is unsatisfactory, and consequently revealing that they...

This update is written and posted on Monday 2nd November 2020 and will quickly become out of date once further details are known. We will endeavour to update it as soon as information becomes available. The Government has announced a month-long lockdown, starting this Thursday 5th November. Importantly for businesses...