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Coronavirus support and information for small businesses

Coronavirus support and information for small businesses

The current global health crisis has already had a big impact on most small employers, and this looks set to continue as some businesses will feel the impact sooner than others.

We have been incredibly busy supporting clients many of them having to make difficult decisions to preserve their businesses whilst also supporting their employees through a difficult time. All of them have had to implement new working arrangements on a temporary basis.

We will keep this page updated with useful links and additional information in the form of articles, FAQs and tips. Please note the situation is changing rapidly and if you are looking at an article, note the date it was written. In the meantime if you would like further assistance please get in touch either by finding your nearest consultant here or directly through the website here.

Useful articles

Unfair dismissal claim for raising Covid-19 concerns – new case highlights key points to protect your business

One of the challenges for HR professionals over the last year has been anticipating how the inevitable stream of Covid-19 claims would be responded to by tribunal judges and panels, and how the legislation and case law we work with will be interpreted in the

22
Mar

Can I force my employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine?

Now that we have a vaccination programme up and running, it does appear as though an end is in (fairly distant) sight to all the disruption to businesses and to individuals. For those who are not in the most vulnerable categories, it seems likely to

18
Jan

What are my options if an employee is struggling with home schooling?

With schools closing again, many employees with school-aged children will be faced with having to supervise them with remote learning, presenting significant challenges when it comes to maintaining usual ability to work. But what are your options for supporting these employees, or dealing with the

05
Jan

How do my general Health and Safety obligations relate to Covid-19?

Health and safety is always important, of course. But for many small businesses working in standard low-risk office environments, it doesn’t take on a lot of prominence on a day-to-day basis. This can mean that many small business owners don’t really know precisely what their

04
Jan

Calculating redundancy pay and notice pay for furloughed employees

The Government has brought in new legislation about how the definition of a ‘week’s pay’ must change for employees who are, or have been, on furlough. This involves important changes for some employers so it’s worth understanding exactly what the new requirements are. Why is

02
Aug

Job Retention Bonus – who can claim?

A few weeks ago the Chancellor announced a Job Retention Bonus to incentivise employers who keep furloughed employees until the end of January next year. We now have a bit more detail about the scheme, so here are some key facts. Which employers can access

02
Aug

How to handle quarantined employees travelling abroad this summer

Whilst many employees are cancelling foreign holidays, or have already missed them, as lockdown lifts slightly, there are also many who are still wanting to travel abroad. These are tending to be more likely to be those with family overseas, who they understandably wish to

05
Jun

Seven steps to protect your business if an employee refuses to come back to work

Workplaces are starting to open again and business owners are reporting challenges or resistance from employees reluctant to return from furlough or from homeworking. Employees who raise health and safety concerns have some legal protection and, in some cases, are even entitled to refuse to

20
May

Annual leave and coronavirus – what’s the deal?

There has been a lot of confusion about how holiday should be handled during this period, so here are five key points to help you manage it. Cancelling planned holiday Of course many people have had their travel plans cancelled and will be unable to

12
May

What to do about probationary period during lockdown?

Most employers have a probationary period built into employment contracts, usually three or six months. It’s a time to assess the performance of new staff, monitor them, give them a good induction, provide them with training and support to learn their new job, and to

05
May

What should you do about disciplinaries or grievances during lockdown?

Many employers have furloughed members of staff now, or are doing so at the moment, or have people working from home where they wouldn’t normally be doing so. In many cases the impact of coronavirus on employers has been rapid, and in the space of

01
May

What if someone refuses to work during coronavirus?

Many organisations are obviously continuing to operate at the moment, either because they are key industries, or suppliers to key industries, or because they are able to keep operating, haven’t been told to shut down and don’t at present need to. But there is lots

09
Apr

Managing a pregnant worker during coronavirus

If your workplace is still operational and you have a pregnant worker, it’s important you understand your obligations and responsibilities around pregnancy. In fact, your general obligations have not changed at all. You have a duty to make a pregnant worker’s role safe for her

09
Apr

Changes to holiday rules during coronavirus

Many employers will be struggling with annual leave over the coming months. In some sectors this will be because they are a key industry and as such are exceptionally busy, and need all the workers they can get during the coronavirus pandemic. In some sectors

31
Mar

What has changed about SSP during the coronavirus crisis?

Some of the many new initiatives/legislative changes the Government has been rushing through in response to the coronavirus crisis are a number of temporary changes to statutory sick pay (SSP) arrangements. If you’re unsure about what’s different and what you should be doing, here’s a

30
Mar

What to do if you have employees reluctant or refusing to self-isolate

These are unprecedented times, and HR professionals and managers alike are racing to keep up with Government guidance and arrangements on self-isolation, quarantine and pay entitlements for affected employees. As well as constantly changing guidance and the fact that everything happening in a hurry means

18
Mar

Lay-offs and short-time working – what you need to do if you suffer work shortages in your small business

In the current unprecedented environment it is becoming clear that many organisations and workplaces will either need to close completely for a time, or will not require the same level of labour as they usually do, for reasons beyond their control related to COVID-19. But

13
Mar

Useful links

For the main government COVID-19 response page see here

For the latest government advice and support for employers see here

For the full list of separate guidance for different sectors and environments see here

Latest information

Kickstart scheme – funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds

Job Retention Scheme Extension