Returning to work during COVID-19
Many businesses are now returning to work under the guidance issued by the Government during COVID-19. It is important to recognise the need to provide a safe working environment for your employees and visitors and some guidelines have been developed for the practical steps that business owners need to take.
- Take all reasonable steps that you can to help people work from home; if this is not practical and your business is in one of those that are allowed to open, the Government message is “go to work”.
- Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment; employers with more than 50 employees are expected to publish their protocols on their website.
- Look to see how you can maintain 2 metres social distancing which may necessitate staggering work times, creating one way pathways, changing desk layouts in the office and seating arrangements in rooms where employees can take their breaks and opening up more entrances and exits if practical.
- In areas where employees cannot be 2 metres apart, manage risk by using barriers, ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other and creating alternative working shift patterns.
- Workplaces should be cleaned more frequently, paying particular attention to certain areas such as door handles, shared keyboards, etc. Employers should provide handwashing areas or hand sanitisers at entry and exit points.
Please see the link to a PDF copy of a notice which should be displayed to show both employees and visitors that the business has followed the guidelines.
There is also a link to the Government site with information for specific types of business below:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Finally, the pandemic has affected all of us in many different ways and those already living with depression may be struggling; please follow the link below which has information on guarding mental health specifically at the present time:
https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus/embed#?secret=FtFzLu4aeg
