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Returning to Work

The lockdown restrictions are slowly easing, and the pressure is on for businesses to comply with Government guidelines and ensure social distancing and hygiene measures are in place. We have provided some areas to consider.

Getting back to the office

Employers have a legal responsibility for their employees heath and safety and it is important to think about the risks your employees face. Employers should consider the use of a Covid -19 risk assessment and do everything reasonably practicable to minimise these risk.

Consider if your office space can adhere to social distancing measures , working back to back or side to side where possible. Do you have a visitor’s policy and how are you communicating the changes to your employees and visitors.

Space may be an issue so reducing the number of employees in the office at any one time should be kept to a minimum – a rota may help. Consider team bubbles that are able to work together by varying skillset which will allow for easy isolation should the virus symptoms be present.

Maintaining Hygiene 

Put proactive routines in place to:

  1. Providing hand sanitisers around the office

  2. Antibacterial wipes for communal areas, door handles

  3. Clear desk policy and de-clutter personal workspace

  4. Avoid hot-desking where possible and ensure desks are wiped clean at the beginning and the end of the day.

  5. Integrate hygiene practices into your culture

Remote Working 

Remote working should be encouraged where possible to reduce fact to face contact. Communicate with employees to discuss their ‘home set up’, ensuring they have the necessary technical equipment, and supporting their physical and mental wellbeing.

You should also consider carrying out a homeworking risk assessment.

We don’t believe that these changes are being put in place for a quick fix and it is about adjusting fully to the new norm we find ourselves in. We have teamed up with Risk Assura who will support businesses by offering independent assistance and validation on workplace risk assessments. The focus will be on helping employers to re-assure and reintegrate employee’s into the workplace.

For more information or if you would like to discuss Return to Work policies, please get in touch

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