LIVING WITH COVID New responsibilities for employers in Covid era
We are far from being in the post- Covid era but, as the vaccines roll out and, hopefully, Covid recedes, we are increasingly in a better place. With businesses reopening, this brings about new challenges in many areas.
Employment
Remote working
As an employer, what are your ‘Covid obligations’?
Defining a place of work
In general terms, an employer’s obligation to provide a safe (place/system) of work does not change. Applying that general principle to Covid presents individual challenges.
That may require a new description/definition to include working from home with consequent employer obligations. You should check with your Insurance broker as to risk cover for remote working.
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Following HSE guidelines and following the advice/ guidelines of your own organisation i.e., vis- a- vis your particular trade or business; appointing a specific person for Covid-19 compliance to provide ongoing implementation/enforcement feedback. If an employee is unable or unwilling to wear a face covering, that requires objective assessment. A similar assessment applies to a vulnerable employee. 210mmW-x-145mmH-3mm-Bleed-Blacknight-Broadband-Wexford-Chamber.pdf 1 12/05/2021 13:59:21
Business: What are your obligations as a business/trade that interacts with the public i.e., say a retail shop? The same principles apply i.e., risk assessment, appointing a specific person for Covid-19 compliance, and completing an ongoing review of the situation. Employers and employees, business owners and the public, all face the unseen, the unknown, and the unmeasurable. We can only do the best we can to apply common sense in situations that will arise. Liam Hipwell - Hipwell Solicitors
INSIDE WEXFORD BUSINESS | PAGE 23
Covid-19 risk assessment is the key. In that context, a number of issues need consideration to include:
