A Return to Homeworking

After several weeks of the government campaigning for people to return to the office in hope to boost economic recovery, the Prime Minister is now urging those who can work effectively from home to do so.

This comes as the coronavirus alert level was upgraded from three to four indicating levels of virus transmission are on the rise. To help reduce the spread of the virus, the government guidance states that office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter months. Employers will need to consult with employees and make a judgement on whether they can carry out their normal duties from home.

Public sector employees providing essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary. Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work. The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 Secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you can go to work as long as the workplace is COVID-19 Secure but should carry on working from home wherever possible.

The government’s change in stance on homeworking will cause disruption and confusion amongst employers who have spent significant time and money making the workplace safe for employees to return. Likewise, employees who have been encouraged back into workplaces over the past couple of months and were enjoying some degree of normality.

We Can Help You

If you would like to discuss any issues that have arisen as a result of the new guidance on homeworking or have any general question relating to the new guidance, please get in touch with our specialist Employment Law team or our HR specialists at Ashtons HR Consulting through this website or by calling 0330 404 0778.

This information is correct at 3.30pm on 24 September 2020.