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advo hr’s Alison Gill outlines the latest rules, changes and wider responsibilities for employers as we move into 2021. As we leave 2020 behind us and enter 2021, yet more challenges greet us with all of the UK in tighter lockdown restrictions. We all now need to do our best to work together at beating this pandemic. We would like to remind everyone of the implications that the recent announcements by the Prime Minister may have on you as an employer. I t is now no surprise that this is a constantly moving situation, so to help you, below we have outlined a short summary following the lockdown announcement on the key areas impacted. Full government guidance is available on https:// www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-athome
Furlough Scheme Firstly, at this stage there have been no changes to the Job Retention Scheme (Furlough). This means that employees had to be on payroll, with the RTI submitted on or before 30 October 2020 in order to qualify for furlough. Presently this remains in place until April 2021
Work As a rule, you must work from home unless you really cannot do so and you should only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home. You can work in other people’s houses if your job role requires you to do so (e.g. emergency trades
people) and you can stay away overnight or travel across counties for work or volunteering purposes. We would where at all possible suggest avoiding all unnecessary travel in line with government guidance. If, however, you do have workers who need to travel overnight, please provide them with a letter confirming the reason for such travel, as this could avoid employees being challenged by the Police. You should discuss working arrangements with your employees and should take every possible step to facilitate working from home. After having experienced last year’s lockdown we anticipate that such measures can be swiftly reactivated or reinstated where applicable.
Volunteering You can still leave home to provide voluntary or charitable services.
Child Care We know from the previous lockdown that home schooling and childcare arrangements have a significant impact on employees and their ability to perform their duties from home. You should talk to your employees about how they can, where possible, balance the situation and what challenges they may face and also what support you can offer them to give some flexibility. You may also need to consider furlough or flexible furlough, where eligible. If you need support in this area please do get in touch. You will be aware the majority of education settings are now closed until at least 15th February 2021, apart from the following exceptions:-
advocate winter 2021 | advogroup.co.uk | 10
