Working safely during coronavirus

It's important that employers talk to staff as early as possible about when they can return to the workplace.

Staff should continue to work from home if they can.

2. Planning to return to work

Employers should 'consult' with staff (ask for and consider their views to try and reach an agreement) about returning to work. This includes:

• trade union representatives
• employee representatives
• health and safety representatives

Employers should also check any agreements they have with a trade union or employee representatives to see if they must formally consult.

Employees and workers should be ready to return to work at short notice, but employers should be flexible where possible.

Making the workplace safe

Employers must make the workplace as safe as possible for staff, customers and anyone else who visits. To do this employers must:

• encourage staff to work from home, wherever possible
• do a 'risk assessment' to identify what might cause harm and take reasonable steps to prevent it
• follow the government guidelines on working safely during coronavirus on GOV.UK

To get advice on working safely during coronavirus from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) you can:

• find coronavirus advice on the HSE website
• find information on risk assessments on the HSE website
• use HSE's online enquiry form
• call 0300 790 6787, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 10pm

Discussing plans with staff

Employers, employees and workers should talk as early as possible about any plans to return to work.

It's a good idea to talk about:

• when staff might return to the workplace
• how staff will travel to and from work
• how health and safety is being reviewed and managed – you should share the latest risk assessment
• any planned adjustments to the workplace, for example additional hand washing facilities, staggering start and finish times to avoid overcrowding or floor markings to help people stay apart
• if there might be a phased return of the workforce, for example some staff returning before others
• working from home arrangements

Wherever possible, employers should speak to staff before making a decision or putting plans in writing. This can help staff understand, and feel included in, decisions.

Changes that might affect someone's employment contract

If there are any proposed changes that affect the written terms of someone's contract, the employer must consult with the employee, worker or their representative, for example their trade union representative.

Find out more about changing an employment contract.

If staff are worried

Some people might be anxious about safety and returning to the workplace. Employers should encourage staff to talk to them about any concerns they have, and try to resolve them together.

If someone does not want to return

Some people might feel they do not want to go back to work, or be unable to return yet.

For example, this might be because they’re:

• worried about catching coronavirus
• at high risk of getting a severe illness if they catch coronavirus
• caring for children
• living with someone who is 'shielding' or has a serious health condition

An employer should listen to any concerns staff may have and should take steps to protect everyone.

For example, they could:

• offer extra car parking where possible so that people can avoid using public transport
• keep someone on 'furlough' (temporary leave) if they're temporarily unable to work
• arrange for someone to work different hours temporarily to avoid peak time travel

If someone still does not want to go back to work, they may be able to arrange with their employer to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave. The employer does not have to agree to this.

If someone refuses to attend work without a valid reason, it could result in disciplinary action.

Find out more about absence from work.

Raising an issue

If an employee or worker has an issue about going back to work, they should raise it with their employer or manager. Employers and managers should take any issues raised by staff seriously.

Read about:

• how to raise a problem at work
• dealing with a problem raised by an employee

An individual should not go to the workplace if they:

• have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
• are told to self-isolate by a government test and trace service, because they've been in close contact with someone who's testing positive
• need to self-isolate because someone in their household has symptoms
• need to self-isolate because they've returned to the UK after a holiday or business travel

If they're already at work, they should:

• tell their employer immediately and go home
• avoid touching anything, and wash their hands regularly
• cough or sneeze into a tissue and put it in a bin, or if they do not have tissues, cough and sneeze into the crook of their elbow
• use a separate bathroom from others, if possible
• avoid using public transport to travel home, if possible

3. If someone with coronavirus comes to work

If someone with coronavirus comes to work, the workplace does not necessarily have to close, but they should follow cleaning advice.

See advice for cleaning workplaces on GOV.UK.

Supporting staff who need to self-isolate

If someone needs to self-isolate, it's good practice for employers to:

• send them home immediately, if they're at work
• support them staying at home while they self-isolate
• arrange for them to work from home, if they're well enough to work
• pay them any sick pay they're entitled to while self-isolating
• support their wellbeing and mental health – see more about supporting mental health during coronavirus

Depending on someone's circumstances, they might have to self-isolate more than once during the coronavirus pandemic. Employers should support them in the same way each time.

For workplace advice about the government test and trace services:

• in England, see NHS Test and Trace workplace guidance on GOV.UK
• in Scotland, see Test and Protect advice for employers on gov.scot
• in Wales, see Test, trace, protect advice for employers on gov.wales