Things To Think About Planning For A Return To The Workplace

It's one year since the first lockdown, and employers are starting to prepare for a return in the coming months, as more people are vaccinated and businesses hope to reopen. We look at the issues facing essential service employers now to help those employers still operating remotely plan for their return.

Work Safely Protocol

Originally launched in May 2020, the Protocol has been revised to incorporate current advice on public health measures (December 2020). The update was required to reflect the government's Plan for Living with Covid 19.

The key factors outlined in the Protocol include employer/employee engagement, communication, and training. It sets out obligations for employers and workers to put infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid 19 in the workplace. IPC includes practising physical distancing, adopting proper hand hygiene and following respiratory etiquette. Employers are required to develop a Covid