Feature Articles

FAQs on furlough and the Government’s Job Retention Scheme which aims to provide employers with an alternative to redundancies. This information is being continually checked and updated where necessary where Government guidance changes.

It is predicted that parts of the country are likely to run out of water within the next 20 years unless urgent action is taken to improve water infrastructure, reduce demand and fix the leaks. In this article, John Barwise reviews a damming report on the collective failure of the Government, the water companies and the regulators to manage England’s precious water resources, and highlights what needs to be done to avoid future shortages.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been in place since March 2020 in order to assist employers who could not maintain their workforce because their operations have been affected by coronavirus. The mechanics of furloughing employees under the scheme until 10 June 2020 are covered in our separate FAQs “Furlough and the Job Retention Scheme”. These FAQs deal with the mechanics of flexible furlough which is in place from 1 July 2020.

As businesses look to re-open following lockdown, the UK Government has published a set of guidance documents to assist a range of workplaces with advice on establishing safe operations. Gordon Tranter considers the updated advice given to people who work in or run factories, plants and warehouses.

Grainne Kelly summarises the latest Government guidance to help those who run and work in shops and branches understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak is a continously fast-moving subject. Please refer to the GOV.UK’s website for the latest updates.

We rely on nature’s abundance for raw materials and its natural systems to keep everything in balance. A functioning planet also means secure and stable societies in which to work and trade. So why is nature not more prominent in business planning? Laura King considers how businesses can start assessing their dependencies on the earth’s resources and systems.

The hospitality and tourism sectors have been particularly harmed by the economic repercussions of Covid-19. With no clear end to the crisis in sight, means of conserving funds or securing government aid will be vital to these businesses. However, it is possible that these organisations could benefit from a green economic recovery that prioritises protecting the environment and sustainability. Tim and Caroline Hand report.

The threat of coronavirus has turned our usual way of working on its head. Laura King suggests what organisations should take into account to ensure that any changes are inclusive to all.

On Sunday 10 May 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he had been working on guidance for employers in England on how workplaces can remain COVID-19 secure. This guidance was released on Monday 11 May 2020 as eight documents, each covering different sectors. There are some commonalities covering every sector.