Getting ready to go back to a “covid-secure” workplace?

Are you a small business reopening your doors to customers? Be sure to follow the latest government guidance to ensure that you are COVID secure to protect both your employees and your valued customers. 

As businesses begin to reopen their doors to customers, the procedures in place for this looks very different to before lockdown. The government has been clear in its guides which set out the steps employers can put in place for meeting their health and safety obligations to ensure that we are all taking steps to reduce spread of the infection and ultimately, reduce a second lockdown/business closure.

Here are 5 steps you should take to ensure that your business is working safely:

1. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment in line with HSE guidance
2. Help your employees work from home when possible
3. Develop hygiene procedures including developed cleaning and handwashing stations
4. Maintain social distancing of 2m where possible, minimum of 1m with effective PPE.
5. Where employees cannot be 2m apart you should take steps to manage risk of transmission e.g. staggering start and finish times, use of PPE etc.

Since COVID-19 is still a significant risk it is going to be crucial for your small business to maintain customer confidence in this ‘new normal’. Your business should be doing everything it can to keep your customers safe and restore their confidence in face-to-face interactions and a key step to achieving this is clear communication for staff and customers. If everybody is in the know, we’ll all feel a little more comfortable.

If applicable to your trading sector you should collect customer data (following compliance guidelines set by GDPR and data protection). The NHS Test and Trace scheme has been implemented by the government to control the spread of COVID-19. The scheme aims to help hospitality, leisure and close contact businesses to continue trading throughout the process of easing restrictions. Businesses should be responsible for keeping a record of customer data for 21 says to help contain local outbreaks if and when they occur. After the 21 days you should securely dispose of the information e.g. shredding.

Financial Support Available

SEISS

The second and final taxable grant application is now open for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Eligible persons will receive 70% of your average monthly trading profits paid in one lump sum covering 3 months’ worth of profits, capped at £6,570 in total. If you’re eligible and your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you must make your claim for the second grant on or before 19 October 2020.

For more information about SEISS visit the government website https://bit.ly/3fakrFI

SSP

The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will repay employers the Statutory Sick Pay paid to current or former employees. This scheme is for employers. You can claim back up to 2 weeks of SSP if:

• You have already paid your employee’s sick pay (use the SSP calculator to work out how much to pay)
• You’re claiming for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to coronavirus
• You have a PAYE payroll scheme that was created and started on or before 28 February 2020
• You had fewer than 250 employees on 28 February 2020 across all your PAYE payroll schemes

Employees do not have to give you a doctor’s fit note for you to make a claim. But you can ask them to give you either: an isolation note from NHS 111 or GP letter telling them to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

For more information about SSP visit the government website https://bit.ly/3hSq1y7