New regulations are due to come into force at midnight in relation to people who are self-isolating.
The regulations are complex to say the least, but the Regulation which is extremely important for employers, is regulation 7.
Regulation 7 states that if an employee or agency worker is expected to self-isolate and an employer permits them to attend any place, other than where they are required to self-isolate, they commit an offence.
This rules also covers individuals who have been told to self-isolate because they are living with somebody who has tested positive for covid-19.
If you have an employee who has either tested positive for coronavirus or who is living with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, it is now your’ responsibility as an employer to stop the worker from coming to work. Failure to do so can result in a fine, which will start at £1000. In such situations, an employee can still work from home if they can.
Employees also have an obligation to let you know that they are self-isolating, in accordance with Regulation 8. If anyone breaches the self-isolation rules, they will be in breach of the rules and will also be committing a criminal offence.
What does this mean for employers?
There are a few things that you can do now to ensure that you are prepared:
- Ensure that you have a clear policy so that your employees know what they are expected to do if they have symptoms or have been told to self-isolate for whatever reason and make sure that you follow it.
- If employees can work from home, make sure you have provisions in place to enable them to do so.
- Ensure that you keep in touch with your employees regularly if they are self-isolating.
If you need any help or guidance in what these new rules mean for you, please get in touch.
