IoD & BCC: Government's Guidance Fails To Inspire Confidence In The Return To Work

Responding to the Government’s latest guidance for businesses in England on returning to work, Dr Roger Barker, Policy Director at the Institute of Directors, said:

“Like everybody else, businesses across the country having been awaiting ‘freedom day’ with bated breath. But instead we have had a series of mixed messages and patchwork requirements from Government that have dampened that enthusiasm. Return to work or continue to stay at home. Throw away your masks or continue to wear them. Today’s long-awaited guidance from Government has done little to dispel that confusion.

“Whilst it is right that companies should be allowed to take decisions based on their unique circumstances, it is vital that government provides businesses with best practice in developing their own policies. However, business leaders are understandably confused as to the legal status that this guidance has and are concerned about vulnerability under health and safety legislation, as well as the validity of their insurance.”

“What Government needs to do is inspire confidence amongst the country’s businesses and workforce that we can all begin to return to work safely. Today’s series of rather obvious statements does little or nothing to that end.”

Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director of the BCC, said: 

“It is important that everyone understands that July 19 will not see face coverings and hand sanitiser disappearing from all workplaces, businesses and venues.

“As the Prime Minister has said the pandemic has not disappeared and businesses will need to continue to play their part in keeping their employees and customers safe.

“That means that although there may be changes, many businesses will be keeping in place some of the measures that have become familiar over the last 12 months, including face coverings in certain circumstances.

"Although the Government has removed some specific legal restrictions – such as mandatory face coverings in indoor settings – as the guidance makes clear, businesses still have an overall responsibility to minimise risk to their employees and customers.

“Therefore, many are asking questions about whether they will be held liable should they make changes to the way they operate from July 19.

“Companies now have just five days to make this judgement call and effectively communicate it to their staff and customers.

“This is a tight turnaround, but with cases continuing to rise, we hope the public will understand the need to stick to the Covid safety rules put in place at each individual location.”   

On  changes to the  self-isolation  rules,  Essex said: 

“We are already seeing issues for businesses related to staff having to self-isolate with COVID, or as a close contact of someone who has tested positive, and some  of our members are struggling to stay open as a result.   

“Instances of self-isolation  will almost certainly continue to rise between now and the change set for August 16, so firms need to know if there are any plans to help them  cope in the intervening period, including any plans to roll out a ‘test and release’ process – allowing people to return to work more swiftly.” 

On  working  from  home, Essex said:     

“With so many businesses already experiencing staff shortages,  due to employees contracting COVID or being forced to self-isolate, many will likely take a cautious approach even  with the government giving the green light for the  return to the office.  Our research shows many businesses are planning to keep at least some staff working remotely for at least the next year.  But the capability to do this varies  greatly  across business types so it won’t be an option for everyone.” 

On  vaccine certification, Essex added:    

"BCC  research shows  most firms previously had no plans to use vaccine certificates. Where they are being asked to use  such a scheme  then Government must  set out the full  rationale  for  the system, how this relates to  employment law and anti-discrimination law and what the consequences will be for businesses who choose not to take this approach.” 

On  contingency  plans for the future, Essex said:     

“Our  research shows that  almost two  in five businesses cite concerns about  possible future  lockdowns as a  barrier to  restarting or returning to pre-pandemic levels. This rises to 50% for business-to-consumer facing firms such as hospitality and retail.     

“To give firms the confidence to fully reopen the Government  must  set out contingency plans for  any  future virus response, the  circumstances under which they  would  be used,  and the support it would  provide  businesses  impacted.”