BUSINESS HELPDESK HELP DESK A SAFE RETURN MANAGING


Halborns, who provide the BMF Intelligent Employment Plus service are working at speed to help members keep on top of the latest government guidance, updates and announcements relating the job retention scheme. Here they offer timely advice to those looking to unfurlough workers.


DUE TO THE nature of the current covid-19 situation, government legislation and guidance supporting employers is evolving rapidly, which means the content of this article should be checked against the latest advice at the time of reading. BMF Intelligent Employment Plus users receive regular updates from Halborns and there is a list of the most recent government announcements – and a brief outline of what they may mean for your employees – on Halborns’ website at www. Halborns.Com


By putting workers on furlough leave you have made temporary contractual changes to their employment status. Unless you set out in your furlough letter how you will end their furlough, you will need to write to each furloughed employee setting out amongst other things: l The date they need to return to work (with reasonable time to prepare for this) l What they should do on their return (including who to report to, time to arrive, any differences to their workspace or role) l Measures in place to keep them, colleagues and customers safe l Potential temporary contractual changes, e.G. Different/staggered working hours to prevent crowding, temporary reduced hours and pay for a period of time, changes to duties etc. l Any policy changes, e.G. Preventing annual leave being


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taken during a certain period after re-opening l Any possibility to a return to furloughed status l Who to speak to about any concerns or issues


Some employees may be reluctant to return for a number of different reasons. They could have health and safety concerns, be living with someone who is shielding or has symptoms, they are in a vulnerable category, or they’re pregnant. The response and approach is different for every scenario and we can provide advice and support tailored specifically for the needs of your business.


While some may be ill themselves or living with someone classed as vulnerable, others may be worried about their health and safety at work, which you should be able to overcome with good communication about the steps that you’re taking to ensure the safety of colleagues and customers and by listening to their concerns. Others may be concerned about their journey to work. If their only route is via public transport, consider whether it is possible for them to perform their role from home or if there are steps you can take to provide a safer commute, possibly by altering start and finish times to avoid the busiest period. Returning to the workplace may also be an anxious time for people who have been working from home. While government guidance is currently for those who can do so to continue to work from home where possible,


this is not obligatory and you can request employees return to working on site. If you want to bring employees back on site, think about a possible phased return to introduce people gradually (two days in, three days working from home, perhaps). Make sure you carry out risk assessments before their return and there is guidance on the hse website to help with this. The results should be shared with your employees and on your website if you have more than 50 employees.


You should be aware that employees have additional employment rights in respect of health and safety concerns. Where an employee is absent because they reasonably believe that attending work would put them at serious or imminent


danger and that danger couldn’t be avoided, then if they are dismissed, resign or suffer a disadvantage as a result, they can claim automatic unfair dismissal with unlimited compensation. These are just some of the areas that halborns have identified from current government advice and questions from clients. If you would like specific help, or to benefit from year-round support through the bmf intelligent employment plus service please get in touch at info@halborns. Com or call 0115 718 0333. BMJ


To find out more about the BMF’s Covid-19 support, its full range of services and the benefits of membership visit www.bmf.org.uk


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net June 2020


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