Further to the Chancellor’s Budget Speech today we have drafted a memo on coronavirus for your staff explaining how they can minimise the spread of coronavirus in the workplace and their entitlements if they are unwell to work or self-isolate.

Please copy and paste the below for use within your company.

This memo has been updated, please click here for the latest version.

For more information on Statutory Sick Pay entitlement please click here .

Memo:- Coronavirus Prevention
To – All Staff
Date – March 2020

We take the threat of coronavirus very seriously and acknowledge that it could have a significant impact on you and our business. We want to avoid any compulsory closures which would have an impact on business and your wages. We have an obligation to protect the health and safety of our staff and therefore we must instruct everybody to follow the 5 steps below.

1. Wash your hands! There is lots of guidance on the NHS website, but please use soap and hot water and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. Please wash your hands when you arrive at work, before you eat your lunch, take a smoking break or make a cup of tea.
2. Use anti-bacterial hand gel! When necessary, if available and only if you are unable to wash your hands.
3. Use tissues! Please keep a pack on your desk or in your pocket if you need to. Catch any coughs or sneezes and dispose of the tissue safely.
4. Be cautious of high touch areas, like door handles and keyboards! Wash your hands after touching or don’t put your hands on your eyes, mouth or nose.
5. Seek Advice! NHS 111 can provide advice to anyone who requires it, follow their advice and take care.

We won’t hesitate to consider disciplinary action against anyone who does not follow the steps above.

We also thought it would be helpful to answer the most common questions from employees:

1. Do I have to self-isolate?

You must follow the current government guidelines and contact NHS 111 only if you have returned from a highly infected area or think that you may have come into contact with someone with coronavirus, or have the virus. It is crucially important that you do this to protect your colleagues, our customers and even their families who may have older or ill relatives.

2. If I self-isolate, will I be paid?

If you self-isolate through your own decision without NHS approval, you will not receive statutory sick pay.
If you self-isolate, having been instructed by a medical professional or NHS 111 and you are eligible for statutory sick pay, you will receive this from day 1. If you are contractually entitled to enhanced sick pay, you will receive it. We will require proof of the instruction to self-isolate which may include evidence of the phone calls made, Fit Notes and/or appointment notes.

3. If I am signed off sick with coronavirus, will I be paid?

If you provide your fit note and are eligible, you will receive statutory sick pay. If you are contractually entitled to enhanced sick pay, you will receive it.

4. If the business shuts down temporarily will I be paid?

If we have to implement a temporary shutdown and we cannot operate remotely, employees will be laid off and receive a statutory guarantee pay of £29 a day for 5 days We understand that this is a very small amount of money and it is therefore crucial that the 5 steps above are followed to avoid this happening.

5. Can I work at home?

We will consider home-working as a last resort and only when necessary.

Finally, please remember the absence reporting procedure. If you are unable to attend work, you must telephone 1 hour before your start time and our usual absence management trigger points apply during this time.

We acknowledge that this is a rapidly changing situation and we will of course comply with current regulations and any emergency legislation that may be imposed.

Many thanks for your cooperation