Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Where a workplace is currently closed or staff are on furlough or working from home, the employer should talk as early as possible about returning to the workplace.

Things to discuss and plan for with staff could include:

• when the workplace might reopen and staff might return
• how the employer will make sure the workplace is safe and how they will get views from staff about any further changes
• how staff will travel to and from the workplace
• if there might be a phased return of the workforce, for example some staff returning before others
• if anyone will stay working from home or on furlough

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

See more advice on:

• making the workplace safe
• talking with staff about changes to the workplace
• if staff are worried or do not want to go to the workplace

2. Acas support for employers

An Acas adviser can talk you through:

• your options for returning to the workplace safely
• the steps in the process and a flowchart with links to further resources
• what's a legal requirement and what's good practice
• what support is available for your staff

To arrange an appointment, you can:

• send an enquiry form
• call: 0300 123 1150, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

In Scotland and Wales, where workplaces are open and staff are working in the workplace, it's important for everyone to:

• wear a face covering or mask where required (unless exempt)
• keep at a distance from others wherever possible
• wash hands or use hand sanitiser regularly
• regularly clean surfaces, particularly surfaces that people touch often

In England, where staff are working in the workplace, it’s important for everyone to:

• consider the government guidelines on the use of face coverings or masks by staff and customers in enclosed and crowded spaces
• reduce contact between people, particularly between customers and staff
• wash hands or use hand sanitiser regularly
• regularly clean surfaces, particularly surfaces that people touch often

You must not go to work if you or anyone in your household has symptoms or has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Find out more about symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) from the NHS

3. Follow workplace safety guidelines

To keep the workplace safe, employers and staff must follow the government guidelines for their type of work:

• in England – working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) on GOV.UK 
• in Scotland – Scottish Government workplace guidance
• in Wales – Welsh Government workplace guidance

Face coverings and masks

In England, wearing face coverings or masks may still be expected in some workplaces. Some people can be exempt from wearing one, for example for health reasons.

In Scotland and Wales, wearing face coverings or masks may be required in workplaces.

See government guidelines for:

• England – face coverings on GOV.UK 
• Scotland – Scottish Government guidance on face coverings
• Wales – Welsh Government guidance on face coverings

Social distancing at work

Social distancing means keeping people apart to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In England, you may still be expected to stay socially distanced in the workplace.

In Scotland and Wales, where possible, people should stay 2 metres (6 feet) apart. If this is not possible, the employer should consider extra changes to keep people safe. This might include:

• working side by side instead of face to face
• using screens or barriers to separate people

What employers must do

By law, employers have a 'duty of care' for staff, customers and anyone else who visits the workplace.

Employers must:

• do all they reasonably can to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of people at work
• complete a risk assessment, and take reasonable steps to prevent harm
• consult staff on any decisions that involve health and safety

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides advice on:

• working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• risk assessments

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, staff might be anxious about:

• safety and going to the workplace
• not being able to go to the workplace, for example it might be difficult for them to work from home

Employers should encourage staff to talk to them about any concerns they have, and try to resolve them together.

4. Consulting staff

Employers should consult with staff about any changes to how they work during coronavirus.

This means the employer should:

• ask staff for their views
• consider any suggestions
• try to reach agreement

Where they have them, employers should also consult their trade union or other employee representatives. They should check if there's any agreement with representatives that says they must formally consult.

Things to talk about could include:

• how health and safety is being reviewed and managed – employers should share their latest risk assessment
• any changes that could make the workplace safer, for example additional handwashing facilities, giving people different start and finish times to avoid overcrowding or floor markings to help people stay apart
• who is currently on furlough and when and how this might change
• any working from home arrangements

Employers can find guidance on talking with workers about preventing coronavirus from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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 them or their representative, for example their trade union representative.

Find out more about changing an employment contract.

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some staff might be anxious about safety and going to the workplace.

Employers should encourage staff to talk to them about any concerns they have, and try to resolve them together.

5. If someone does not want to go to the workplace

Some people might not want to go to the workplace, or might not be able to.

For example, this might be because they’re:

• worried about catching COVID-19
• at high risk if they catch COVID-19
• caring for children
• pregnant
• living with someone who has been advised to stay at home by their doctor because they have a serious health condition

The employer should:

• listen to any concerns staff may have
• take steps to keep everyone safe at work
• reassure staff by telling them how the workplace has been made safe

As well as following working safely guidelines, ways to help keep people safe could include:

• extra car parking where possible so they can avoid using public transport
• furlough if someone's temporarily unable to work
• different working hours temporarily to avoid peak times

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

If someone refuses to go to work after all reasonable options have been considered, the employer could start a disciplinary procedure.

If someone believes their workplace is not safe

People legally classed as employees are protected by law from being dismissed or experiencing any 'detriment' if they:

• reasonably believe being at work or doing certain tasks would put them in serious and imminent danger
• take reasonable steps over a health and safety issue, for example complaining about unsafe working conditions
• inform their employer about their health and safety issue in an appropriate way

A dismissal in these circumstances could be classed as an automatically unfair dismissal.

Detriment means treatment that leaves someone worse off, for example:

• their employer reduces their hours
• they experience bullying or harassment
• their employer turns down their training requests without good reason

People legally classed as workers also have protection from experiencing any 'detriment' if they:

• reasonably believe being at work or doing certain tasks would put them in serious and imminent danger
• take reasonable steps over a health and safety issue
• inform their employer about their health and safety issue in an appropriate way

If an employee or worker refuses to work because they reasonably believe that the working environment is not safe and they're then treated less fairly by the employer as a direct result, they could make a claim to an employment tribunal.

Raising an issue

If an employee or worker has concerns, they should speak with their employer or manager.

Employers and managers should take any issues raised by staff seriously.

Find out more about:

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

People who are at high risk of serious illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) must follow the same guidance as everyone else and think particularly carefully about additional precautions they might wish to take.

People at high risk will have been identified and contacted by the NHS. They may be referred to as being 'clinically extremely vulnerable'.

Their employer must also take extra steps to keep them safe, for example by:

• looking at ways to support their work, for example allowing them to work from home where possible
• providing extra safety measures at their workplace

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on protecting vulnerable workers, including advice for employers and employees on how to talk about reducing risks in the workplace.

6. If someone’s been shielding

People at high risk may have been shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means they will have stayed at home rather than go out to work.

The government stopped advising people to shield in April 2021, but those at high risk should still take extra steps to stay safe.

Check the latest government guidelines for:

• England – shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 on GOV.UK
• Scotland – Scottish Government shielding advice and support
• Wales – Welsh Government guidance on shielding extremely vulnerable people

When someone at high risk returns to work

In England, there is no longer an expectation for people to work from home.

In Scotland and Wales, employers should continue to support working from home where possible for people at high risk.

If working from home is not possible and the workplace is open, the person at high risk and their employer should talk as early as possible about:

• how and when they’ll return to the workplace
• what the employer has done to keep the workplace safe
• any concerns the person has about going to work
• any reasonable adjustments they might need if someone has a disability

If a doctor says someone should stay at home

A doctor may still advise someone who’s at high risk to stay at home, even though shielding has stopped. For this situation, check your organisation's:

• sickness absence policy
• sick pay rules

The employer should talk with them to understand the issue and see how they can support them. The employer should also consider if they can continue or start homeworking if it’s practical to do so.

If an employee lives with someone who's at high risk

In England, there is no longer an expectation for people to work from home. However, homeworking can still be considered for people who live with someone who’s at high risk.

In Scotland and Wales, government guidelines are that people who live with someone at high risk should work from home if they can.

If they cannot work from home, they can go into work.

They should speak to their employer if they have any concerns. Their employer must keep the workplace safe.

If someone tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), they should stay at home and follow self-isolation rules.

7. If someone comes to work with COVID-19

If someone finds out they've tested positive or has COVID-19 symptoms when they're at their workplace, they should:

• tell their employer immediately and go home to self-isolate
• 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

What other staff should do

If someone at work tests positive for COVID-19, employers should check the latest self-isolation rules to see if other staff who had close contact with them need to self-isolate.

Follow government guidelines for self-isolating:

• England – stay at home guidance on GOV.UK
• Scotland – Scottish Government Test and Protect self-isolation guidance
• Wales – Welsh Government self-isolation guidance

Staff may be concerned that they've worked with someone with coronavirus. The employer can reassure them by making clear what measures they've taken to keep the workplace safe and avoid close contact between people wherever possible.

Staff should speak to their employer if they have any concerns or are unsure about whether they need to self-isolate.

Cleaning the workplace

Employers should follow government advice on hygiene and deep-cleaning the workplace where necessary:

• in England – cleaning in non-healthcare settings outside the home on GOV.UK
• in Scotland – enhanced hygiene from the Scottish Government
• in Wales – how to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus in workplaces from the Welsh Government

When someone has been off sick with coronavirus (COVID-19) and is ready to go back to work, they should talk with their employer as early as possible.

They could discuss:

• how and when they’ll return, for example if it will be to the workplace, or if they need a phased return
• any concerns they have about returning to work
• how the employer is keeping the workplace safe
• if an occupational health assessment could help

The effects of COVID-19 are still being understood and the person might experience long COVID. People with long COVID might need ongoing support and further sick leave after they’ve returned to work.

Find out more about long COVID.

8. If other staff have concerns

Other staff might be worried about being exposed to the virus if someone who’s had COVID-19 or has long COVID comes back to work.

It’s not usually necessary for someone to be tested for COVID-19 after they’ve been ill with it.

The employer should:

• reassure staff by making clear how they’re keeping the workplace safe and avoiding close contact between people wherever possible
• keep communication open but check first with the person who’s had COVID-19 about any details they want kept confidential
• encourage an inclusive working environment

If someone starts to get COVID-19 symptoms, they must tell their employer straight away and follow self-isolation guidance.