COVID-19 – Return to the Workplace and UK Employment Law: An Action Plan for Businesses

As the UK government gradually eases lockdown restrictions, employers must begin to consider how they can safely return employees to the workplace, particularly — in the short term at least — if they cannot work from home. This process presents a range of legal and employee relations challenges, sparking intense debate among businesses, employee representative bodies and legal commentators about how employees can safely return to work. The UK government has published a number of guidance documents to help employers address these issues and operate their workplaces as safely as possible. However, many questions remain. Employees fear for their safety and employers are concerned about whether simply following the guidance will protect them from legal action. This Action Plan addresses some of the key concerns and suggests an outline strategy for employers to start the return to work process.