News

On the evening of Friday 20th March, the Chancellor announced a new type of leave which he called “Furloughed Leave” and said that this was to be used in place of layoff and that it should be used in accordance with employment law.

This sent most employers and HR specialists into confusion and generated a new “F-Word” in the HR world; we haven’t talked about anything else all week!

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has provided some very helpful guidance as people struggle to understand what they can and can't do during the current Covid-19 Crises. Can you tell colleagues about an employee's Coronavirus diagnosis? And what do you need to do with regards to homeworking and data protection?

Because of the current Covid-19 situation, many employers have been wondering what to do about annual leave as it continues to accrue for those employees on Furloughed leave. And those people who are working in key roles and sectors, may not have time to take their leave this year. So, what can you do?

With all the rapid changes that have occurred over the last few days a lot has changed since my previous note on this last month.

Quite understandably I have had lots of queries about what to do in various situations regarding staff: that have been abroad; showing symptoms; not showing symptoms but have been in contact with someone who has; are over 70 years of age or has one of the underlying medical conditions listed by the government that suggests that they are in a higher risk category; lives with someone in the higher risk category, not showing any symptoms but doesn’t want to come to work; or very recently has children who will no longer be able to go to school when they close on Friday etc.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has amended its guidance relating the timescale for compliance with a subject access request (SAR) under the Data Protection Act, where the controller has requested clarification from the data subject.