In mid-May, the U.K. Government began encouraging businesses to begin re-opening and returning to normal. But what exactly is normal now? In our recent partnership with my2be we investigated how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our working lives and looked towards the future to try and predict how the events of this year will change the business world.
Companies are beginning to look at bringing their staff back to work from furlough, with many of these exploring a phased return to ‘normal’. It is important to remember that the health, safety, and wellbeing of your employees should be at the core of your return. In this blog, we provide a snapshot of the factors you should consider. For a more in-depth exploration, you can download the Whitepaper for free using the link below.
HSE has released guidance for employers to consider when planning return to work, including possible layout changes, PPE, and office cleanliness. The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) recommends asking three key questions:
• Is it essential?
• Is it reasonably safe?
• Is it mutually agreed?
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits all approach to returning to work – what may work for one business may not necessarily work for another. We have been given a unique opportunity to re-assess how we work and decide if going back to the old way of working is in fact the best thing for your business.
The health and safety of your employees must also be paramount, even if you decide to keep the majority of your workforce working remotely. Proper risk assessments must be completed, and the correct equipment provided. Clear and consistent remote management procedures help reduce the risks associated with remote working, and regular contact from management is recommended.
Digital security also remains a concern for many businesses operating remotely, and it is important that regular training on data and technological safety is undertaken. Phishing is another major risk factor, and there has been a rise in the number of attempted phishing attacks related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is not just a risk associated with remote working, however, and office-based teams are also at risk of such malicious attacks.
For a more comprehensive look into a return from furlough and health, safety, and security, read the full report here.