Covid changes to SSP

Following on from the announcement of the government’s ‘Living with Covid’ strategy, this is a gentle reminder that the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme finished on 17th March 2022.

From this date, employers will no longer be able to claim back statutory sick pay (SSP) to cover staff absences relating to testing positive for Covid-19 or having to abide by self-isolation rules.

Business owners and their teams will have until 24th March to submit any new claims for absence periods up to 17th March or amend any claims that have already been submitted.

Regardless of the reason why the employee is off work, companies must revert to paying SSP from the fourth qualifying day of absence, as was the case pre-pandemic. 

Changes to face coverings in the workplace

 

Following the Prime Minister's announcement yesterday, The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings in a Relevant Place and on Public Transport) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 have been published.

Regulation 2 amends existing legislation on face coverings to make it clear that workers in places listed in Schedule 3 must wear masks.

Schedule 3 includes:- 

• shop workers
• shopping centres
• restaurants and bars
• banks
• hotels 

There is the same reasonable excuse exception as existed for other obligations to wear a face mask (for example, because of disability or where wearing a mask would cause severe distress).

The Regulations make it clear that it is the employee/worker who is committing the offence and is liable to the £200 fine, not the employer.

Although it is the employee that will be fined, we would suggest that you update your policies to ensure that employees know that it is company policy that they must wear a face covering whilst working unless they are medically exempt.  If you would like to discuss in more detail contact us on 01245 261883

 

Covid-19 and Lockdown

The Prime Minister last night (Monday 23 March 2020) announced that the UK is in lockdown and there are restrictions in place to stop the spread of the Virus.  People are allowed to go out to buy essential items such as food and medication.  They can only go out to exercise once a day, in open spaces and must adhere to the 2 metres distance space and only 2 people can be together and can only be more than 2 people if they are members of your household.

The Prime Minister announced that people can travel to and from work when they cannot do the work at home.  This is still being debated as it is ambiguous and unsure if it applies to key workers only set out by the Government.

As business owners if the work can be undertaken by your employees at home, you should let them do this.  If they cannot do their work at home and the business has to remain open and is not in the list of businesses that has to close, then you should ensure that there are 2 metres space between employees, provide hand sanitiser and clean the areas on a regular basis.

If you are in the situation that your business has had to close and employees cannot work from home, you can use the Government option to Furlough them.  The Government will reimburse the business for the salary that you have paid out.

What does Furlough mean? – it effectively is placing the employee on standby whilst the company is closed and the employee cannot work for the company due to it being closed.

To qualify to Furlough the employee they must have been paid by the business in February.  The employee is paid 80% of their salary up to a maximum of £2,500 per month.  The business has to enter the details into HMRC portal which is still being designed.

If you have employees that have been notified by NHS that they have an underlying health condition and must isolate for 12 weeks, then they will be paid SSP and not be placed on Furlough.  The reason for this is that they cannot work due to being isolated and not that the employer cannot provide them with work.

The situation is changing daily and if you have any concerns for your business, please contact us to discuss on 01245 261883.