COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
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BACK TO INSIGHTS
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs
05/06/20
The Covid-19 pandemic poses significant workforce issues for public service
organisations regarding the services they provide and the risks to staff. We list
below the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) we have received in relation to
these policies and communications with staff generally.
We have put together these FAQs for employers in sectors such as healthcare, social
care, emergency services and housing, and, therefore, some questions may not be
relevant for your particular sector.
Pay
For how long must an individual self-isolate?
Nicola Green
Legal Director
London
Guidance from the Government and Public Health England (PHE) requires those
with a continuous cough or high temperature to self-isolate for a seven day period.
Where you are living with someone who is displaying symptoms, you and the rest of
your household should self-isolate for a period of 14 days. If you or another person
in the household starts to display symptoms during that 14 day period, this will not
nicola.green@capsticks.com
020 8780 6975
restart the 14 day period but that person will be required to start a seven day selfisolation period from the date on which they first display symptoms. Those who are
notified under the track and trace regime that they are required to self-isolate
because they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid19 will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Are those in isolation entitled to sick pay?
Employers will be aware that the Government has introduced emergency legislation
so that statutory sick pay (SSP) is payable to those who are isolating on advice from
NHS 111 or PHE, as they will be deemed unable to work. As current advice is that it is
not necessary for those self-isolating because of a continuous cough or fever to
Sarah Parkinson
contact NHS 111, they will not need to provide any evidence that they are unable to
Senior Solicitor, Professional Support
Lawyer
London
work. SSP is also payable to those who are self-isolating as part of the track and
trace regime.
Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be able to claim back some of the
cost of Covid-19 related SSP from the Government. The online Coronavirus
Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme went live on 26 May.
sarah.parkinson@capsticks.com
020 8780 4756
The legislation also provides that SSP will be payable from day one of the isolation
period for those self-isolating in the circumstances above, as opposed to from the
fourth day of absence, as is normally the case. The Government has confirmed that
the sick pay provisions will be applied retrospectively from 13 March.
The Government also introduced further emergency legislation providing that SSP
COVID-19: Our response
We know Coronavirus is having a serious impact
on the health, social care and housing sectors,
will also be payable to those who have been identified as clinically extremely
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vulnerable and have been advised to shield. This does not extend to those who are
increasing operational pressures significantly.
living with someone who is shielding, however.
We want to let you know of the steps that we are
This provision does not have retrospective effect and is in force from 16 April.
Many contractual sick pay provisions, including section 14 of Agenda for Change
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taking to support both your organisation and
our employees, at what is a difficult time. Learn
more here.
(AfC, the national framework applicable to most NHS employees) state that they
supplement SSP to provide additional payment during absence due to illness, and
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where this is the case, contractual sick pay for Covid-19 absences will also be due
from day one of an isolation period.
For the first seven days of self-isolation, an individual can self-certify themselves as
unable to work and is not required to provide the employer with any evidence. From
day eight onwards, employers are entitled to ask for evidence that an employee is
required to self-isolate. Rather than require a fit note from a GP, individuals will be
able to submit an isolation form to their employer, confirming that they are required
to self-isolate either because they have symptoms of Covid-19 or live with someone
who has symptoms. The isolation form is available from the NHS and NHS 111
websites.
For NHS staff, where employees are shielding and there is no prospect of them
working from home, NHS Employers advise that staff should receive full pay
through the provision of COVID-19 special leave (see below).
If staff are unwilling to attend work, but do not qualify for SSP, you will need to be
flexible about whether you allow them to remain at home or whether you require
them to work, in particular where working from home is not possible. There is no
obligation to pay staff in these circumstances, but one option might be to offer paid
sick leave for a limited period, or to require staff to take annual leave, special leave
or a period of unpaid leave. A refusal to attend work could be treated as a
disciplinary issue, although employers should think carefully about whether they
want to take disciplinary action. A dismissal may be automatically unfair under the
health and safety provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996. Where employees
obtain a sick note from their GP regarding a period of absence during the crisis, they
will be entitled to SSP. Where the reason for absence is something other than Covid19, payment will be due from day four and not day one.
How do we calculate the amount of pay due to NHS staff on COVID-19 special
leave?
Full pay for the purposes of COVID-19 special leave should be calculated by
reference to pay received during either the preceding three months (for staff with
set or regular hours/pay) or 52 weeks (for staff whose hours/pay varies month to
month).
Pay should include all enhancements and all overtime payments (including
voluntary overtime) received during the applicable reference period.
See NHS Employers FAQs on COVID-19 and pay. Note that the calculation of full pay
for COVID-19 special leave is entirely different to the calculation of holiday pay or
pay for other leave
The 14 day quarantine period for individuals arriving in the UK from abroad
comes into effect on 8 June. How should we treat employees who are on a
period of enforced quarantine.? Are they entitled to SSP?
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Employees will not be entitled to SSP for the quarantine period, unless they are
displaying symptoms or live with someone who is symptomatic, in which case the
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usual rules relating to self-isolation will apply.
Staff should be informed in advance that any quarantine period needs to be taken as
annual leave, if they cannot work from home. Employers could consider offering
unpaid leave as an alternative, although this may cause staffing issues. Employers
may also consider treating differently employees who had booked overseas travel
before the quarantine measures were announced, and who cannot obtain a refund or
claim on their insurance.
Registered health or care professionals travelling to the UK to provide essential
healthcare, including where this is not related to Covid-19, are exempt from the
quarantine requirements. They are required to provide contact details and details of
their journey. They must also be able to show:
They will start work within 14 days of their arrival in the UK
proof of professional registration with a UK-based regulator
an employment contract or letter of confirmation from either an:
NHS Trust
independent healthcare provider
independent social care provider
NHS Employers has confirmed that the exemption will also apply to any staff who
had previously left the UK to visit family and who are planning to return as soon as
possible.
Do we need to pay employees who cannot return to the UK due to flight
restrictions?
Employers should consider the individual circumstances with the employee and
where staff are in quarantine, they should be treated as self-isolating and paid
accordingly.
Where employees are not sick but simply cannot return to the UK, employers may
wish to consider offering the use of special leave, annual leave or unpaid leave whilst
the individual remains overseas.
For NHS staff, NHS Employers advises that where there is no reasonable prospect of
staff returning to work from overseas, the national temporary COVID-19 special
leave should be used and individuals should receive full pay (see below).
What is the position with school attendance for children of key workers?
The Government has announced that children of parents where one or more parent
is a key worker will be allowed to send their children to school during the closures.
The 20 March 2020 HR guidance letter gives clear guidance on the keyworker
scheme. The guidance makes clear that children should be sent to school only where
absolutely necessary and there is an onus on workers to confirm with their employer
that their specific role is necessary for the continuation of the essential public
service. A precedent letter is attached to the guidance.
The following categories are deemed to be key workers:
Health and social care: this includes but is not limited to doctors, nurses,
midwives, paramedics, social workers, care workers, and other frontline health and
social care staff including volunteers; the support and specialist staff required to
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maintain the UK’s health and social care sector; those working as part of the health
and social care supply chain, including producers and distributors of medicines and
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medical and personal protective equipment.
Public safety and national security: this includes police and support staff,
Ministry of Defence civilians, contractor and armed forces personnel (those critical
to the delivery of key defence and national security outputs and essential to the
response to the COVID-19 pandemic), fire and rescue service employees (including
support staff), National Crime Agency staff, those maintaining border security,
prison and probation staff and other national security roles, including those
overseas.
Where individuals refuse to attend work despite the provision of schooling for their
children employers may wish to consider allowing staff to take annual leave or
unpaid leave, or could deal with the matter more formally if there is no good reason
for non-attendance.
NHS Employers state that where employees are unable to send their children to
nursery due to closures, they may choose to offer local special leave or ask the
employee to take the time as holiday or unpaid leave, work the time back at a later
date, or a combination of these.
Are bank/casual workers entitled to sick pay?
Any entitlement to SSP will depend on whether a bank/casual worker has earnt a
minimum of £118 per week over the previous reference period (usually 13 weeks)
and where a bank/casual worker is on assignment at the time they need to selfisolate.
For healthcare organisations, recent advice from NHSE/I has been that bank staff
and sub-contractors who need to be physically present at an NHS facility to carry
out their duties should receive “full pay” for any period in which they are required to
self-isolate or shield. We are aware that some NHS Trusts are taking the view that
they will pay bank workers for shifts which have previously been agreed before the
period of self-isolation in determining “full pay”. Others are using a reference
period, looking back at previous bank earnings. NHS Employers are advising that
the latter approach should be used for consistency where possible.
The Government has published guidance on the protection afforded to contingent
workers. Typically, contingent workers are those who are not engaged on
permanent employment contracts but who work short term, variable hours. Under
the guidance, where contingent workers are unable to work due to Covid-19 (e.g.
illness or shielding) or due to schools being closed (in that case up to a max of seven
days), they are entitled to receive 80% of their pay capped at £2500pcm.
However, the guidance is issued in relation to payments to suppliers of contingent
workers. In the case of NHS bank workers, it therefore appears that the guidance
only applies when workers are engaged through an agency and not when engaged
directly by a Trust.
We engage some locum staff directly using the direct engagement model. Will
they be entitled to sick pay?
As these locums are directly employed, SSP rules would apply in the usual way.
Whether or not they are entitled to contractual sick pay will depend upon the terms
of employment but it would be unusual for there to be an entitlement in this
situation.
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What about staff who are not required to self-isolate and have not been
instructed to shield but are particularly encouraged to practise social
distancing for example because of age, pregnancy or an underlying health
condition?
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Even where self-isolation/shielding is only advisory, an employer can insist on it
where there are good reasons to do so, either in terms of protecting an employee’s
health or the health of those around them. The key is the “good reason” point, which
may involve taking advice from Occupational Health and establishing an
organisation-wide position. This would likely take the form of medical suspension
where applicable, or special leave if they agree to self-isolate. There may be some
roles where they could continue to work remotely whilst self-isolating, provided the
appropriate IT arrangements can be made and there are no issues with data security,
and that should be encouraged where possible. It would also be prudent to
implement arrangements for them to keep in touch with their teams even if they
have to self-isolate (or are forced to stay away from work).
For NHS organisations, the NHS England/NHS Improvement letter to HR colleagues
dated 20 March 2020 sets out provisions relating to vulnerable staff groups and
annexes some guidance. This provides for “very high risk” groups in NHS
organisations to be redeployed, work flexibly or work remotely. Over 70s, adults
who are advised to have a flu vaccine and pregnant women should be moved to
lower risk areas or work remotely. Additional guidance in relation to pregnant
workers is available here and here.
The guidance generally states that pregnant workers should work from home or
modify any public-facing role to minimise contact. All pregnant workers should
have a risk assessment. If a worker is less than 28 weeks pregnant with no
underlying health condition, she: (a) should practise social distancing, (b) can
continue to work in a public-facing role with precautions, (c) should avoid treating
patients with Covid-19 or, if she has to, only do so with personal protective
equipment (PPE), and (d) if she works in operating theatres, respiratory wards and
ICU/HDU, use PPE at all times. If a woman is more than 28 weeks pregnant she is
advised to remain at home, and should be redeployed to a homeworking role if
possible. If she chooses to attend the workplace, however, she must not undertake a
patient-facing role. She cannot be compelled to attend the workplace, however.
How do we record Covid-19 absences on ESR?
The NHS England/NHS Improvement letter to HR colleagues referred to above sets
out provisions for how absences should be recorded on ESR, in relation to both
rostered and non-rostered staff. It is vital that these provisions are complied with to
track and model workforce data and ensure clinical and operational capacity
decisions can be made. NHS Employers have published additional guidance on how
to record absence for a member of staff who has tested negative for Covid-19 after
self-isolating. This guidance is found here.
What about employees who want to continue attending work despite being
vulnerable? Can we insist that they remain at home?
Employers have a duty of care to all staff to provide a safe place of work. By allowing
an employee to continue to work there is likely to be a breach of this duty. In these
circumstances, it is likely to be a reasonable management instruction to require an
employee to remain away from the workplace. Where the employee is “ready,
willing and able” to work, however, they would be entitled to remain on full pay.
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Where possible, the employee should be required to work from home. If this is not
possible, you can require them to take annual leave, subject to the notice
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requirements in the Working Time Regulations (“WTR”). Alternatively, employers
may be able to agree some form of special leave. Employees will not be entitled to
sick pay but they may be eligible for medical suspension. It is not advisable to allow
an employee who has been advised to practise shielding to attend the workplace.
If an employee insists on attending the workplace, can we ask them to sign
some sort of waiver in the event that they contract Covid-19?
To mitigate against the risk of claims, it is important to document that the employee
has chosen to attend work, and that a risk assessment has been carried out and any
adjustments agreed and implemented. Ultimately, however, it is not legally possible
to enter into an agreement that excludes liability for personal injury.
Staff shortages
Organisations are estimating that a significant percentage of the workforce are
likely to be absent as a result of Covid-19 and are putting in place contingency plans
to deal with staff shortages.
What should we do about vulnerable staff?
We recommend that staff planning takes into account those members of staff who
are in high risk groups including those with compromised immune systems and
underlying health conditions. Reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities
may involve temporarily removing them from frontline areas.
Can we require staff to be tested for COVID-19, where testing is available?
Where testing is available, and presuming staff are able to travel safely to a testing
centre, or are able to be tested at home, then it is likely to be a reasonable
management instruction to require staff to undergo testing. Where staff are refusing
to work and are refusing to be tested, then this could be treated as unauthorised
absence and pay could be withheld, although employees should be warned about
this first, and alternative options should be considered, for example home working,
redeployment, taking some form of leave, or furloughing where available to
employers.
Where staff cannot access a test safely, then this is not going to be a reasonable
management request. If this is because they are self-isolating or shielding, the
individuals will be entitled to SSP, and otherwise it may be possible to use some of
the options above.
Staff should be encouraged to disclose their test results but, in any event, our view is
that as non-disclosure of positive test results clearly puts patients and staff at risk,
explicit consent of the individual is not required.
Can we ask doctors to refuse private work to provide additional time to NHS
work to support patient care?
The terms and conditions of employment and the job plans agreed with consultants
will dictate the hours that NHS Trusts can insist are worked. The Consultant
Contract does not expressly reserve the right for Trusts to amend a job plan without
a doctor’s agreement.
However, Schedule 9 of the 2003 Terms and Conditions makes clear that a
consultant is responsible for ensuring that the provision of private services for other
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organisations does not result in a detriment to NHS patients, or services or diminish
the public resources that are available for the NHS. Paragraph 25 of the same
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schedule also requires the consultant to make all reasonable efforts to support
initiatives to increase NHS capacity, including appointment of additional medical
staff and changes to ways of working.
Trusts could rely on these terms to suggest that a temporary requirement for
doctors to redirect their work to the urgent care needed to cope with Covid-19 is a
flexibility permitted by the contract. That said, the usual principles of contractual
interpretation will apply and any ambiguity in the terms of employment contract
will be construed against the Trust. Any specific flexibility clauses will be given a
restrictive interpretation by the courts and may be limited by an implied duty e.g. an
obligation to exercise the flexibility reasonably.
Trusts may be able to also rely on an implied term that, in order to give business
efficacy to the provisions in Schedule 9, it is necessary to imply that doctors will
rescind other private or Supporting Professional Activities time in these exceptional
circumstances. There is also an implied duty of fidelity, requiring employees to act
in good faith, not to make a profit out of his/her Trust or place him/herself in a
position where his/hers duty or his/her interest conflict, which would support a
similar argument. Finally, there is an implied duty on employees to follow
reasonable management instructions (although such instructions must be
consistent with the contract of employment) and to be adaptable, which the Trust
might be able to rely on for the purposes of giving business efficacy to the express
terms in Schedule 9.
Initially, the main approach should be to engage with consultants about staff
shortages and increasing capacity. The consultant and clinical manager may
conduct an interim review of the Job Plan where duties, responsibilities,
accountability arrangements or objectives have changed or need to change
significantly within the year.
NHS Trusts are generally seeking to engage constructively with doctors and other
clinical staff about agreeing temporary adjustments to working hours and increasing
programmed activities/hours to deal with the crisis. Temporary measures that
would be worth considering include:
asking the doctors to relinquish their private work or offer assurances that the
private work will be Covid-19 related (a number of Trusts are contracting with
private hospitals to support the increased work);
asking doctors to take on Additional Programmed Activities. The consultant
contract provides that Additional Programmed Activities can be offered
without the usual three months’ notice where both parties agree and on a fixed
basis;
seeking to agree adjustments to the job plan around SPAs and DCCs so that
most of the doctors’ time is temporarily devoted to direct clinical care,
perhaps with an agreement that the time can be reclaimed in future when the
urgent work is not required or if they are called upon to self-isolate.
Alternatively, collectively agreed variations can bind the employee if the union acted
as their agent during negotiations or a collective agreement reflecting the change is
incorporated (either expressly or impliedly) into the contract.
If agreement cannot be reached then the Trust might want to seek to rely on the
provisions in Schedule 9 to mandate that doctors limit their private work with a
view to supporting the Covid-19 response. Even if the courts interpret the flexibility
clauses narrowly and find that the variation was not permitted under the contract, if
the doctors nevertheless work to the mandate they may be found to have implicitly
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agreed to the variation. The risk with this approach is that doctors may work to the
variation under protest, and subsequently bring claims for loss arising from the
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breach. However, in the circumstances, the public benefit may outweigh the risk of
any potential claims.
Can we redeploy staff?
Emergency planning policies are likely to deal with the core services which must be
maintained during times of significant staff absence and also the ability to redeploy
staff. In the absence of a specific contractual clause allowing compulsory
redeployment, employers will need to rely on implied terms or express agreement to
the change.
A term of fidelity and a term that employees will follow reasonable management
instructions are implied into all contracts. In a time of national crisis such as this,
where the employer is a public body, it can rely on these implied terms to encourage
people to move into other roles where these moves are necessary to reduce/remove
the spread of and treat Covid-19. Our view is that there is an element of
proportionality to the question of what is reasonable dependent on the availability
of other staffing resources and the individual’s current role and their skills and
expertise will also be relevant. Trusts should only move to take formal action for
refusal to move where the instruction is reasonable.
For those employers that work with individuals who are regulated by professional
bodies, there are also regulatory issues to consider as these individuals will have
ongoing obligations relating to responding to risks to safety, working
collaboratively with colleagues and maintaining trust and confidence in their
profession. Refusing to support the effort may be a breach of such obligations.
In the event of an unreasonable refusal to follow a management instruction the usual
repercussion would be disciplinary action. However, disciplinary action should not
be the default position and may not be the preferred route at this time when
continued engagement with the workforce is important. It can be hoped that the
strong moral argument plays a part in the considerations of those who are called to
undertake different roles to those for which they are employed. Accordingly, the
first step should be to obtain agreement through engagement.
NHS employers should take into account the NHS England/NHS Improvement
guidance of 13 April, "Deploying our people safely".
Can we redeploy to another organisation?
There is no reason why in theory you couldn’t transfer an employee to another
organisation provided the actual employment doesn’t transfer. It works best if you
are simply asking them to work at another site under the direction of another
organisation’s manager but otherwise terms and conditions remain the same. If the
role changes then that may be a further ground for objection. However, you can rely
on the duty of adaptability, particularly given the current circumstances and
depending on the locality of the alternative premises.
Workforce sharing agreements have become increasingly popular recently as groups
of employers look to ways to work efficiently and transfer staff. A workforce sharing
agreement can be put in place in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic ensuring that
employment of staff remains with the employing organisation whilst services are
provided elsewhere. For healthcare organisations, please refer to NHS Employers’
guidance on workforce sharing in the NHS and to the Health Education England
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paper on facilitating workforce planning published on 15 April to address issues
arising out of COVID-19.
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The use of licences to attend may be considered under which host organisations can
set out clearly an individual’s responsibilities whilst on site.
One point for parties to consider is where liability falls for any transferring
employees’ salary and whether the host organisation will reimburse the employer.
In addition, where overtime is needed, parties will need to be clear on the rates
which apply and which will be liable for these costs.
In order for us to be able to bring in staff quickly, are we able to carry out ID
checks for the purpose of DBS and right to work initially by reviewing scans?
On 27 March, temporary guidelines were published for employers to follow when
completing pre-employment checks during the pandemic. NHS Employers has
published the new temporary guidelines which will apply when it is not reasonably
practicable to complete the standard NHS Employment Check Standards.
The guidance confirms that for the purpose of verifying identity, right to work and
obtaining DBS checks, employers may accept scanned and emailed copies of original
documentary evidence in relation but only when making urgent appointments and it
is not reasonably possible to follow the normal checking guidelines. The applicant
must present the original versions of these documents to the employer as soon as is
practical.
Regarding the new fast track DBS process, checks against the children’s and/or
adults’ barred lists will be turned around within 24 hours of DBS receiving the
application. The new fast-track check may be used where accepting pre-disclosed
information, or where a new DBS check is needed to enable individuals to start work
or volunteering in a regulated activity until the full disclosure has been received.
What about former NHS staff who are willing to return to frontline duties?
The Coronavirus Act suspends the usual rules relating to recently retired healthcare
professionals so that they can return to work or increase their hours without any
negative impact on their NHS pension. Details of the arrangements for returning
staff can be found on the NHS England/NHS Improvement website.
Can we cancel previously agreed holiday periods?
Some Emergency Preparedness Plans state that previously agreed annual leave for
staff may need to be cancelled in order to deal with staff shortages in the event of a
pandemic.
Generally, an employer can cancel an employee's period of annual leave if it gives
the required notice. Under Reg 15 of the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR), an
employer can require an employee not to take annual leave on particular days by
giving the employee notice of at least the same length as the period of leave to be
cancelled. For example, if the employee has booked a period of four days' annual
leave, the employer must give at least four days' notice of cancellation.
Employers can agree with their workforce alternative rules about the notice
required to book and cancel leave. An employer should ensure that it complies with
any such workforce agreement or contractual arrangement.
If an employer cancels a period of leave without a clear business reason and, for
example, this results in the employee not being able to go on a booked holiday and
suffering financial loss, the employer could face a claim for constructive dismissal or
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financial loss. In the current circumstances, however, where travel is increasingly
restricted, this may be less of a concern. In many cases employees may prefer to
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defer holiday until a time when they are able to make better use of it or when it will
put less strain on the service.
How do the new carry over provisions work?
Under the new regulations which have been introduced, employees will be able to
carry over 20 days’ annual leave provided by the Working Time Directive (WTD) into
the following two leave years. In the UK, the Working Time Regulations (WTR) grant
an additional eight days’ leave so as to provide a total of 28 days’ annual leave each
year. The additional eight statutory days are not covered by the new regulations and
must, therefore, be taken in the leave year in which they fall. There is no scope to
pay in lieu of this leave, save on termination of employment. Any additional
contractual leave can be dealt with in accordance with the employer’s policy or by
agreement, for example deferral or payment in lieu.
Ideally, it should be made clear to employees that in each leave year they are taking
their eight days’ WTR leave first, followed by their WTD leave and then any
contractual entitlement.
Can we require employees to take annual leave at certain times during the
pandemic?
Yes, if they are still working, subject to anything in your own contracts or policies,
employers can require employees to take their annual leave, provided they give
them sufficient notice (normally two days’ notice for each day of leave they wish
them to take).
However, if the employee is on sick leave (whether this due to COVID-19 or any
other illness), although employers can request that employees take their annual
leave, it will not be possible to “force” them to interrupt a period of sick leave with
holiday if they do not wish to do so.
The position is more complicated in respect of employees who are unable to work
because they are self-isolating or shielding, as although they are entitled to SSP
(even if they are not actually in receipt of it – for example, NHS staff on COVID-19
special leave), they are not unable to work because they are ill. Accordingly, there is
a good argument that the employer can still direct when they should take annual
leave.
There are risks in relation to discrimination claims if employers seek to force those
who are shielding to take annual leave. This is on the basis that those who are
shielding are more likely to be older and/or disabled. There is, therefore, a risk they
would argue that they are adversely impacted by the policy of requiring shielding
employees to take annual leave on account of their age/disability. This could amount
to indirect discrimination, or a failure to make a reasonable adjustment in the case
of disability (not requiring them to take leave at a specified time). In those
circumstances, it would be important for the employer to be able to justify the
approach as a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim (i.e. have a very
good reason for it).
Some employers have asked those who are shielding to work from home. Where
they are doing so, they will not be on sick leave or special leave and will be working
as usual and can, therefore, be required to take their annual leave.
Can we ask employees to work on public holidays?
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This will depend on the terms of the individual’s contract of employment.
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For NHS staff who are employed under AfC, section 2.1 refers to staff being required
to work “on general public holidays” and section 13.4 of AfC states: “Staff required
to work … on a general public holiday are entitled to equivalent time off…”. On the
basis of these sections, there is, therefore, a good argument that NHS organisations
have the power to require staff to work on bank holidays (at enhanced rates) and for
that leave to then be taken at another time. This will be subject to the organisation’s
standard contract/annual leave policy which may differ and those employees on
non-AfC contracts may also have different provisions.
Our view is that persuading employees to work public holidays by agreement is the
best approach. As much notice as possible of the need to work through the bank
holidays should be given in order to ensure compliance with WTR around notice for
“cancelling” leave.
Can we insist that staff treat service users in their homes?
The treatment of patients/service users at home in the event of bed shortages will
require consideration of the contractual ability to insist that staff travel and provide
care outside their usual place of work.
In every contract of employment there is an implied duty on employees to be
adaptable and requiring an individual to attend service users’ homes may fall within
this duty if the homes are within a reasonable travelling distance. In the alternative,
a further point to consider is that where contracts of employment do not contain
sufficient mobility clauses to require individuals to work outside employer
premises, a temporary change may be agreed with staff.
Can we ask people on maternity leave to return temporarily?
Any return to work, other than for KIT days, will terminate maternity leave and pay.
Whilst some employees may want to return early, they have a statutory right to 52
weeks’ leave and, therefore, an employer will not be able to insist on an early return.
Where individuals are willing to come back temporarily and the time they return for
is in excess of KIT days so that maternity leave terminates, we recommend that an
agreement is reached with employees so as to enable the proportion of untaken
maternity leave to be used at a later date at the same rate of applicable pay.
What about staff who are unable/unwilling to travel to/from their homes to
provide services whether at their usual site or in the case of redeployment?
Hotel accommodation will be available free of charge to NHS staff who need to selfisolate, who cannot return home as family members are self-isolating and who
require emergency accommodation due to exceptional factors. It can also be made
available to Locum doctors and Community Interest Company workers where they
are carrying out clinical services. Details can be obtained via a helpline (01274
726424 (choosing ‘Hotel team’, then ‘Option 1’)) and will be made available online
also. As there may be large groups of NHS staff gathered in hotels, appropriate
social distancing precautions should be taken.
See the guidance from NHS England and NHS Improvement published on 20 March
2020.
Coronavirus job retention scheme and
furlough leave
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
What are the details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme? How can we put
our staff on furlough leave?
Page 12 of 19
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Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), HMRC will reimburse 80% of
workers’ wage costs, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month, where employers
designate those employees as furloughed. It has been announced that this scheme
will run in its current form until the end of July, and will then be extended until the
end of October on the basis that employers share the cost of the scheme with HMRC.
For further information on the CJRS and furloughing, please access our separate
FAQ document here.
Can public sector employers furlough staff?
Although the scheme is available to public sector organisations, the Government
expects that few public sector organisations will furlough employees as the majority
of their staff will be providing essential public services or contributing to the
response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Furthermore, where organisations are receiving
public funding for staff costs (including non-public sector organisations), they are
not expected to furlough staff.
Even after redeployment has been considered, some public sector organisations
may find that some workers are less busy but the CJRS does appear to make clear
that HMRC would be reluctant to approve a claim by a public sector organisation.
For now, such organisations should continue to review their workforce
arrangements as part of the response to Covid-19. In the case of casual workers, they
should be assured that there may be shifts available at some point where they could
be needed, albeit it may be in slightly different types of roles. For NHS
organisations, casual workers may be able to pick up shifts with NHS 111.
Disciplinary and grievance issues
ACAS has published new guidance which sets out best practice on handling
disciplinary and grievance proceedings during the coronavirus crisis. This guidance
is found here.
For NHS employers, NHS Resolution has produced guidance on doctors’
disciplinary processes under MHPS during the Covid-19 pandemic. The guidance
suggest that employers need to take a pragmatic approach, continue to deal with
urgent concerns, conclude investigations quickly where they are reaching the end,
and postpone or extend the timeframe in the case of those which are not close to
completion. Employers should also consider the impact of exclusion/restriction,
weighing up the effect on the doctor’s practice and the demands of the service.
The guidance can be found here.
Personal Protective Equipment
Can we insist that frontline staff are clean shaven?
The requirement for frontline staff to wear face masks is proving controversial as
the safety standards for the masks require that wearers are clean shaven. Employers
must consider their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, their
general common law duty of care in respect of its employees and risk assessments
under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in protecting
staff.
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
However, enforcing a clean shaven policy may be unpopular, and we recommend
that employers consider the potential discriminatory aspects of such a policy. Whilst
Page 13 of 19

the protection of the health and safety of the individual, other staff and service users
should be a legitimate aim in implementing such a policy, given the potential race,
religion and belief and disability claims which could result, it may be necessary to
consider reasonable alternatives to face masks such as protective hoods or
redeploying the individual away from the frontline.
Frontline staff should certainly be encouraged to be clean shaven. If staff shortages
become such that reasonable adjustments cannot be made to accommodate those
who refuse to shave, formal action could be taken.
Can we take disciplinary action when staff are refusing to work without full
PPE?
Organisations will need to carefully consider how they deal with concerns raised in
respect of inadequate or insufficient PPE. The Government published guidance on
the use of PPE on 3 April which can be found here.
The steps an employer takes in response to staff who refuse to treat Covid-19
patients will depend on their role and whether it is one which requires full PPE. It
would generally not be reasonable to discipline or dismiss staff for refusal to provide
direct care to Covid-19 patients if they do not have access to the full recommended
PPE and carrying out the treatment would place them at a high risk of contracting
the virus. However, where staff do not require PPE in accordance with the PPE
Guidance and such staff are refusing to work, organisations may wish to consider
engaging and explaining that disciplinary action may need to be taken where they
continue to refuse work.
What about staff who are refusing to wear PPE?
Employers can insist on PPE being worn as a reasonable management instruction,
provided there are reasonable grounds for doing so. Where staff are refusing to wear
PPE against the PHE Guidance, employers may elect to tell such staff that they
cannot let them work in high risk areas for health and safety reasons and should
then move them to a different area with the appropriate PPE.
Should BAME staff be given priority access to PPE?
Public Health England has been asked by DHSC to investigate the disproportionately
high number of BAME individuals who are affected by COVID-19. In advance of their
report and guidance, NHS England has advised that employers should risk-assess
staff at potentially greater risk and make appropriate arrangements accordingly. We
would suggest that, at this stage at least, employers should not adopt a blanket
policy of prioritising BAME staff but that it would be advisable to classify BAME staff
as a vulnerable group for the purposes of risk assessments in the same way as older
or pregnant workers or those who have an underlying health condition. Where a
work environment demands that full fit PPE should be worn under the PHE
guidance, our view is that in line with an employer’s health and safety obligations,
no member of staff should be asked to carry out duties without it. Where there is a
shortage of PPE, this will therefore impact on the number of staff available to attend
rather than requiring a decision to be made as to priority for allocation.
NHS Employers has updated its guidance on risk assessments to include the
importance of ethnicity. The updated guidance is found here.
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
Harassment of staff
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
We are speaking to organisations who are reporting discriminatory treatment of
staff on the basis of their race/ethnicity. In supporting staff, a zero tolerance
approach to harassment of employees should be maintained. For healthcare
organisations this policy should make clear that service users and visitors are
permitted access to healthcare premises for specified purposes only, i.e. to receive
care or to visit those who are receiving care. Where someone is violent or abusive to
staff, permission to attend can be withdrawn and if necessary, a healthcare
organisation can seek an injunction order enforcing these restrictions. It should be
noted that a more involved legal process is required in the case of an inpatient who
both requires care but is also violent or abusive.
Employment practice and procedure and
Employment Tribunals
What will happen to the ET hearings we currently have listed?
An announcement was made by the President of the Employment Tribunals that
from Monday 23 March 2020 all in-person hearings (hearings where the parties are
expected to be in attendance at a tribunal hearing centre) that are listed to
commence on or before Friday 26 June 2020 will be converted to a case management
hearing by telephone or other electronic means which will take place (unless parties
are advised otherwise) on the first day allocated for the hearing. If the case is set
down for more than one day then parties should proceed on the basis that the
remainder of the days fixed have been cancelled.
This direction also applies to any hearing that is already in progress on Monday 23
March 2020 and, if not already addressed before then, the parties may assume that
the hearing on that day is converted to a case management hearing.
Any hearing listed to commence on or after 29 June will remain listed for hearing in
the usual way and will be subject to further directions in due course. This will be
subject to ongoing review.
No hearings will be heard in the Employment Appeal Tribunal before 15 April 2020.
The Presidents of the Employment Tribunals issued the following "roadmap" on 1
June 2020 regarding ET hearings going forwards. A summary of what is envisaged in
the next few months is:
June 2020: It is unlikely that any in person hearings will take place. The ETs
will continue to focus on remotely conducted case management hearings,
judicial mediations and ( rare) priority hearings. During this month the
regional Employment Judges will be reviewing their lists to consider what
cases would be suitable to be heard using CVP - we assume this to be from July
onwards but the document does not make this clear;
July & August 2020:
ETs will seek to determine unfair dismissal cases in greater numbers
using CVP.
To the extent that social distancing measures operate in tribunal venues
that have been properly risk assessed, some in-person hearings will
begin, and these are likely to begin with straightforward cases such as
wages claims or preliminary hearings.
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
There will be some hearings involving several participants. These are
likely to take place on a hybrid basis with some of those involved
attending in person and others attending remotely using the in-house
Cloud Video Platform (CVP) or other technology.
Page 15 of 19

It is unlikely that many complex cases e.g. discrimination or
whistleblowing claims will be heard in July and August.
September & October 2020:
From mid-September and into October, Employment Tribunals will, in
addition to the types of cases considered during July and August, seek to
determine more complex cases in greater numbers using CVP, especially
those cases of shorter duration.
The range of approaches available will include wholly in-person
hearings (likely still to be relatively few due to social distancing
measures), hybrid in-person/CVP hearings, or hearings taking place
wholly using CVP.
If we have ongoing disciplinary matters, can we postpone these without unduly
impacting the fairness of the process?
Whilst there is no specific guidance on this point, the Employment Tribunals are
likely to apply their usual approach to delay in these processes: where there is a
good explanation for the delay and individuals are being kept informed, the risk of a
challenge is significantly reduced. Employment Tribunals are likely to have
sympathy for the fact that the NHS will have had to focus its efforts elsewhere at the
current time. However, there will be an expectation that staff are not wholly
neglected so it will be important to keep them abreast of any developments and if
staff are currently suspended, it will be particularly important to keep this under
review.
Returning to Work
Following the Government’s recovery strategy which was published on 11 May
where the reopening of certain workplaces was set out, the Government published
guidance on returning to work. The guidance is split into eight categories covering
separate workplace settings, and it is expected that these will be added to as other
sectors gradually reopen.
The documents contain non-statutory guidance to assist both employers and
employees in managing the return to work. It is important to note that the principles
they set out do not replace or supersede existing obligations such as the statutory
duties imposed by Health and Safety legislation and by regulations, equality
legislation or an employer’s common law duty of care to its employees.
What general principles apply to reopening?
The guidance is underpinned by the following key principles:
Employees should continue to work from home wherever possible.
Employers should undertake a COVID-19 risk assessment in consultation with
workers and trade unions.
Maintain two metres social distancing wherever possible.
If not possible, manage transmission risk.
Reinforce cleaning processes.
The following steps apply to all workplaces:
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
Where employees cannot work from home, in order to achieve a so-called “Covidsecure” workplace, employers should work through the steps below to reduce the
Page 16 of 19

risk of transmission:
In every workplace, increase the frequency of handwashing and surface
cleaning.
Make every reasonable effort to keep people two metres apart wherever
possible.
Where the social distancing guidelines cannot be followed in full, in relation to
a particular activity, businesses should consider whether that activity needs to
continue for the business to operate, and if so, take all the mitigating actions
possible to reduce the risk of transmission between their staff.
Keeping the activity time involved as short as possible.
Using screens or barriers to separate people from each other.
Using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face)
whenever possible.
Reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed
teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others).
Finally, if people must work face-to-face for a sustained period with more than
a small group of fixed partners, then you will need to assess whether the
activity can safely go ahead.
What about where there is no work which an employee can do from home?
Workers who cannot work from home should travel to work if their workplace is
open. When travelling, everybody (including critical workers) should continue to
avoid public transport wherever possible. If they can, people should instead choose
to cycle, walk or drive, to minimise the number of people with whom they come into
close contact. It is recommended that employers consider their provision for cycle
storage and providing changing facilities for staff.
Do we need to provide PPE?
The guidance states that when managing the risk of COVID-19, additional PPE
beyond what a worker would usually wear is not beneficial with the exception of
clinical settings, such as a hospital. It is not necessary, therefore, for employers
outside healthcare and social care settings to provide PPE to staff routinely,
although there may be certain circumstances when it is appropriate. Wearing a face
covering is optional and employers should remind employees that should they chose
to wear one, they will have to adhere to the usual rules regarding hand washing and
social distancing.
Do we have to consult about health and safety issues?
Employers have an existing statutory duty to carry out health and safety risk
assessments and to reduce workplace risks to the lowest reasonably practicable
level and these duties will continue to apply to the return to work. There is also a
statutory duty to consult about health and safety with either the representative from
a recognised trade union or, in workplaces where there is no recognised trade
union, someone who has been nominated by the workers.
The guidance requires employers to carry out a Covid-19 specific risk assessment in
consultation with workers and trade unions. Risk assessments by employers with
over 50 workers should be published on the employer’s website.
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
Other resources
Page 17 of 19

NHS Employers have produced a comprehensive resource page on their website,
linking to the relevant guidance documents. This includes advice on: (a) health and
wellbeing, (b) communication with staff (with a case study), (c) bringing staff back,
(d) increasing workforce supply, (e) enabling staff movement, (f) terms and
conditions and (g) assurance (for example, in relation to recruitment and
indemnities). The resource page can be accessed here.
If you have any questions regarding these issues please contact Nicola Green or
Sarah Parkinson.
https://www.capsticks.com/insights/covid-19-workforce-faqs
04/07/2020
COVID-19: Workforce FAQs | Capsticks
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