Employer's Duties - Mental Health in the Workplace in light of Covid-19
The current pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the vast majority, if not all of our daily lives in terms of both our working and personal circumstances.
Following the Government’s announcement that the lockdown as a result of COVID-19 was to be lifted to allow those that could not work from home to get back to work, guidance has been produced to assist with that return.
Whilst a large number of office workers have been able to work remotely from home, for some, working from home has not been possible and therefore this lifting of restrictions to enable them to perhaps return to the workplace is welcome.
The guidance provides recommendations / issues for employers to consider with a view to reducing the risk of the transmission of the COVID-19 virus to the lowest level possible, whilst enabling employees to return to the workplace with the confidence that they will be safe.
It is therefore important that all employers consider the guidance and ensure that they take appropriate steps tailored to their individual circumstances.
So, what does the guidance say?
Whatever your workplace situation, once your risk assessment has been produced:
The guidance also covers off more general factors that any risk assessment will also need take into account such:
Finally, the guidance provides recommendations with regard to cleaning the workplace both before and during return to work to prevent transmission as far as is reasonably practicable.
The guidance does provide helpful recommendations, but it can only be general guidance and the mitigating steps may not be possible in all circumstances.
Each employer / workplace will need to take what recommendations they can from this document and tailor it according to their specific circumstances.
Hopefully, employers will now be able to use this guidance constructively to enable their employees to return to the workplace and get on with their jobs, with the confidence that steps have been taken and considerations made to protect them from the COVID-19 virus while back at work.
Should you require any assistance or further guidance in the light of the Government’s recommendations and how this should be applied to your particular workplace, or have any other health and safety issues that you would like assistance with, please do not hesitate to contact the team at Prettys on 01473 232121.