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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

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 happens to terms and conditions during furlough?

Because the whole concept of being on ‘furlough’ is brand new, many employers aren’t sure about how the terms and conditions of staff on furlough are affected. It’s helpful to remember that furlough leave is not like other types of leave such as maternity leave

23
Apr

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

Should I rehire an ex-employee so I can furlough them?

It has now become clear that even if an ex-employee was not made redundant because of coronavirus but left employment for other reasons, you can rehire them and then place them on furlough, claiming back 80% of their salary from HMRC through the

06
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

I don’t need to furlough everyone – who should I choose?

Many small businesses are taking advantage of the Governments new Job Retention Scheme and placing staff on ‘furlough’ at 80% of salary, reclaimable through HMRC. It’s a good way to cope with having to close down operations or significantly scale them back without having to

30
Mar

I need staff to go on furlough but they won’t agree – what do I do?

If you are needing to take advantage of the Government’s new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and place staff on ‘furlough’ due to a lack of work at this time, then unless you have a lay-off clause in your employment contracts (which most small businesses do

30
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

New starters not eligible for furlough – how shall I handle them?

The Government’s new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been set up to help employees who would otherwise be out of a job due to the current health crisis stay in work. Many staff were made redundant before the scheme was announced, so the Government has

30
Mar

What’s the difference between ‘furlough’ and ‘lay-off’?

On Friday the Government announced as part of its measures to assist businesses through the coronavirus crisis a Job Retention Scheme. Reference is made ‘furloughed’ workers and where this is happening, the government will fund 80% of salary costs (to a maximum of £2,500 monthly). But

24
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