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Coronavirus: Do I have to go back to work after lockdown? Coronavirus: Can my boss force me to go back to work?
(25 days later)
With pubs, restaurants, hotels and campsites as well as hairdressers and cinemas allowed to reopen from 4 July, the number of people back at work is set to grow. Employers in England will soon have more freedom to decide whether staff should return to their place of work.
Many people fear contracting coronavirus once they return to work. So what are your rights? But with many people still worried about contracting coronavirus, what are your rights?
Should I be returning to work?Should I be returning to work?
Employees who can work from home are advised by the government to continue to do so. Right now, the government says people should work from home if they can.
For those who do return, full government guidance on working safely in the newly opened sectors is due to be published. It will include separate advice for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced government guidance will change from 1 August.
Firms should be ready to "move quickly" if the rules change, says the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. "We're going to give employers more discretion and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely".
That means employees might have little notice if their company wants them to get back to work. That could mean continuing to work from home or returning to the workplace, Mr Johnson said. Employers should talk to their workers about what steps to take and only bring them back to their place of work if it is safe to do so.
Can my boss make me work despite coronavirus? Anybody will be able to use public transport - including to get to work - the prime minister said.
This may now become an issue for workers in places such as bars or restaurants, says employment law expert Simon Rice-Birchall from Eversheds Sutherland. For those who do return to work in England, government guidance on working safely across a range of sectors is available. There is separate advice for Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland.
After all, these are public-facing jobs and potentially carry a higher risk of catching the virus. How will my workplace be kept safe?
Mr Rice-Birchall says that if people do not show up for work when asked, they should not expect to get paid. However, employers should be "extremely careful" about deciding to discipline or sack them. Employers must follow a strict code of measures, which can include:
If employees are unhappy and their employer has not addressed their concerns, they should contact their local authority or the Health and Safety Executive, who can force firms to take action.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) says companies should publish risk assessments, so employees know what safety measures are being taken. However, it says that not all firms have done so.
Can my boss make me return to work?
Many workers in public-facing jobs, like shops, bars and restaurants, have already gone back to their workplace. Office workers are among those who could soon be asked to do the same.
Employment law expert Simon Rice-Birchall, from Eversheds Sutherland, says that people who do not show up for work should not expect to get paid.
However, employers should be "extremely careful" about deciding to discipline or sack them.
Under employment law, workers have the right to walk off the job to protect themselves from "serious and imminent" danger, he says.Under employment law, workers have the right to walk off the job to protect themselves from "serious and imminent" danger, he says.
Firms may think they are enforcing social distancing rules, but "no employer can police a workplace properly", he adds.
Will vulnerable people have to return to work?Will vulnerable people have to return to work?
There are 2.2 million people in England classified as being at high-risk, including those who have received organ transplants or are on immunosuppression drugs.There are 2.2 million people in England classified as being at high-risk, including those who have received organ transplants or are on immunosuppression drugs.
Employers must be "especially careful" to protect such people, says Tom Neil, senior adviser at arbitration service Acas. Employers must be "especially careful" to protect such people, says Tom Neil, from arbitration service Acas.
This may include varying their responsibilities, or keeping them on furlough until it is safer for them to return.This may include varying their responsibilities, or keeping them on furlough until it is safer for them to return.
"Particularly strict" social distancing rules should be in place to protect those who do return, says Mr Neil. From 1 August they will no longer need to shield and may return to work if their workplace is Covid-secure.
From 1 August they will no longer need to shield and may return to work as long as their workplace is Covid-secure.
What if I don't think my workplace is safe?
Employers must follow a strict code of measures, which can include:
If employees are unhappy and their employer has not addressed their concerns, they should contact their local authority or the Health and Safety Executive, who can force firms to take action.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) says companies should publish risk assessments, so employees know what safety measures are being taken. However, it says that not all firms have done so.
"Employers who fail to keep their workers safe must be fined - and if necessary, shut down, " says TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.
How do I get to work safely?How do I get to work safely?
Many people are afraid that using public transport will expose them to the risk of being infected by coronavirus. The updated government guidance advises people "that they may use public transport, while encouraging them to consider alternative means of transport where possible".
Employers are being encouraged to stagger working times, so workers can avoid rush hour. However, many people are afraid that using public transport will expose them to the risk of being infected by coronavirus.
They are being asked to consider parking and bike storage for people who want to drive or cycle. Face coverings are currently required on public transport in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and their use will also be mandatory in Wales from 27 July.
Acas says employers should discuss with returning staff how they will travel to and from work and offer help. Employers are also encouraged to stagger working times outside rush hour and provide parking and bike storage.
How will people on furlough be affected? Acas says employers should discuss with returning staff how they will travel to and from work and offer help where possible.
At least seven out of 10 UK firms have reported furloughing workers. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has rejected reports that face coverings will be made mandatory for office workers on-site in England, though.
From July, businesses will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time.
But when the scheme finishes at the end of October, companies may not be able to pay all their workers and could cut jobs.
Companies don't have to keep on employees when furlough ends and cannot use these payments to subsidise redundancy packages.
But employers could face allegations of discrimination if they only keep on staff who worked through the crisis, says Acas.
People with underlying health conditions might be more likely to go on furlough, while the woman in a household is more likely to be the one that stays at home with the children.
If my children are at home, can I be forced to go to work?If my children are at home, can I be forced to go to work?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that if schools are not open and workers cannot get childcare, employers should not expect staff to return.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that if schools are not open and workers cannot get childcare, employers should not expect staff to return.
While it is not necessarily legal protection if you refuse to go to work, Mr Johnson said parents and guardians who are unable to return "must be defended and protected on that basis".While it is not necessarily legal protection if you refuse to go to work, Mr Johnson said parents and guardians who are unable to return "must be defended and protected on that basis".