Feature Articles

Managers and employers have the same duty of care to staff during this pandemic as at any other time. However, mental health challenges have never been as acute as they are currently and it is more important than ever that staff and healthcare managers take steps to protect their mental wellbeing through open and honest dialogue regarding situations staff are likely to have to face.

Within a relatively short space of time, the coronavirus has radically changed working life around the world, perhaps forever in the case of some organisations. Never before has workplace cleaning taken on life and death implications across so many different types of ordinary, non-specialist, work settings. Vicky Powell looks at how to deep clean workplaces to best protect workers and others from the COVID-19 virus.

Working parents are afforded certain rights under employment law and employers need to ensure they are aware of them. Not only can failure in this area result in costly discrimination claims, it can also mean the difference between a low or a high retention rate. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines points that employers can consider when aiming to be family-friendly employers.

Within a few months the global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has spread to almost every country in the world. In the UK at its peak, the number of patients in intensive care was estimated to be doubling every 3-4 days. Now numbers of new cases are beginning to decline in most affected countries. Deborah Bellamy reviews current the information available about the virus and what the public health concerns are for the UK.

Amid all the uncertainties and disruption caused by COVID-19, an awareness of how your team is coping is all-important. Laura King looks at what managers can do to reduce stress for themselves and employees.

An EAP — an employee assistance programme — is one of the benefits that can be offered to employees to support them in challenging times. But how much do employee assistance programmes cost, and are they worth it?

On 26 March 2020, as part of emergency coronavirus legislation, the Government outlined future plans to introduce more volunteering that can assist the health and social care sector during the outbreak.

At Ramadan, participating employees often have to manage extra physical and mental stresses, fatigue and dehydration. Jon Herbert describes how flexibility, discussion and forward planning from employers can help everyone involved.

As the pandemic continues, employees may be struggling with their mental health, especially if they are working from home for the first time. Ben McCarthy, lead researcher and employment law writer at Croner-i, outlines ways of tackling this issue.

This article was written on 23 March and is based on guidance that was in place on that date. The Government has subsequently amended and clarified its guidance meaning that some features of this article may not be up to date. See our article Furlough and the Job Retention Scheme Q&As for up to date information on the Job Retention Scheme.