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

As an employer, what are your ‘Covid obligations’? 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.

Covid-19 risk assessment is the key. In that context, a number of issues need consideration to include: • 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.

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Remote working

Defining a place of work 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.

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