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Laura Bowyer

Returning to the Workplace - are YOU ready?

At The Affable Partnership we believe in making sure you have all the tools to look after your employees, no matter the circumstance. So, with this in mind these are our top 5 tips to ensure that you are ready to welcome your team back with open arms!


1. Make sure you carry out the adequate risk assessment.

Since the pandemic risk assessments have never been more important. They are there to ensure the safety of every single person on the premises. We’ve included the link here to the HSE’s guide. When completing your risk assessment, consider if you need to provide additional hand washing facilities so that people can wash their hands frequently.


2. You may wish to implement new or revised policies and procedures.

These can be new documents and/or protocols to cover meetings, hand washing, mask wearing, shielding, self isolation and more. It is now a legal requirement for employers to promote hand washing in the workplace.


3. Flexible working arrangements.

Whether or not flexible working arrangements are being implemented within your organisation they will still need to be considered. This includes working from home, rotation of teams, specifying arrival and departure times to avoid bottlenecks in areas. We have created a handy checklist to help decide and a questionnaire for staff.


4. Communicate with your employees!

You have a duty to consult with your employees on all matters concerning health and safety at work. You will need to engage with any relevant unions in advance of returning to the workplace.


5. Corona-virus Job Retention Scheme

The scheme is currently set to run until the end of September 2021. Things that you must be considering are:

  • Reintegration of furloughed employees

  • Managing levels of accrued annual leave

  • Management of employees reluctant to return (consider the employees options and the disciplinary process to be followed if they don’t comply)

  • Navigating potential employment claims

  • Potential headcount reductions and redundancies


The six priorities outlined by the Government for employers are:

  • Health & Safety risk assessments

  • Provide adequate ventilation

  • Increase cleaning

  • Ensure self-isolating staff do not attend the workplace

  • Facilitate all staff and visitors “checking-in” at venues

  • Communicate safety measures with all staff and visitors

If you have any queries or questions relating to returning to work contact us here and quote RETURNING.

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