From midnight on the 23rd October 2020, Greater Manchester is to move into Tier 3 of the tier system which was announced on the 22 September 2020. The Government guidance continues across each of the tiers to state that anyone who cannot work from home may go to their place of work however there is an encouragement to work from home except where it is ‘reasonably necessary’ to attend a place of work.
Working from home or the office?
So, what does this mean for employers? Employers should consult with employees to decide whether their usually working duties can be carried out from home, or whether the employee would be required to travel to their place of work where this is not possible. Under the tier system however there is a large emphasis on only attending a place of work if it is ‘reasonably necessary’. Therefore, employers need to consider whether an employee attending the office is ‘reasonably necessary’.
If employees are attending the office, then employers must consider the risk to its employees and ensure that a risk assessment is in place and that it is followed. The employer should also bring the risk assessment to the attention of its employees and extra consideration should be given to those employees who are classed at higher risk.
Employers must not, as of the 28 September 2020, encourage or knowingly require an employee who is required to self-isolate to attend work.
Employee and client Meetings
Under Tier 3, the rule of six applies to gatherings of people mixing from different households and those from different households are prevented from meeting indoors even in smaller groups. However, workplaces can still be attended as they are seen as gatherings which are ‘reasonably necessary’ for work purposes. Meetings can also take place within the workplace with no limit on the number of people who can attend such gatherings for work purposes, if those meetings are reasonably necessary. Those attending should however observe social distancing rules and comply with any risk assessments in place.
As meetings can take place for work purposes, client meetings can still be arranged and attended, however again employers should consider whether these are necessary and whether the meeting could take place remotely instead. Again, risk assessments should be followed and signage should be clear to any clients attending offices. Entertaining clients at an indoor location such as a restaurant would not be permitted under the regulations as this would be mixing two or more households.
At O’Donnell Solicitors we can provide advice to both employers and employees to help you keep up to date during the Coronavirus Pandemic. For more information please contact ourselves on 01457 761320 or email Richard Dobson Mason on richard@odonnellsolicitors.co.uk.
