Due to and amount of change and uncertainty during the current Covid-19 crisis regular communication with employees is important from a business perspective and also to support employees’ wellbeing.
So, the plans are coming to return to work. Finally, we are all seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, but let’s not get too excited just yet.
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place this year beginning on 18th May. In 2020 we will start that week having experienced at least 6 weeks of being in “lockdown”.
Please note that the below is based on best-practice advice. It may be subject to change when official guidance from the government is released. Last updated 11th May 2020.
Consider: Flexible working requests, Work arrangements with staff who have childcare or carer responsibilities, How to support staff who are sick or have relatives who are ill
Consider: Freezing replacement or recruitment of non-critical roles, reducing commitment with outsourced partners, reducing reliance on contractors or temporary workers
Consider: Extending Furlough employees using the Job Retention Scheme Consider whether to rotate employees on furlough.
Time off for Dependents – Employees may request a period of “Time off for dependants”, although this is usually only a few days to make alternative arrangements, however in the current Covid-19 crisis it may be reasonable to allow a longer period.
Who remembers the school summer holidays of our youth? Seven weeks of unbridled fun, where you may have had to do a temporary job and a bit of housework, but otherwise your time was your own.
