Feature Articles

In this feature Thoreya Swage, Healthcare Consultant, describes the next phase of development of Integrated Care Systems for 2021–2022.

The risks from Covid-19 are still very much present in the workplace and it is important to remember that employers have a duty of care towards their employees and should take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their workforce. This information is being continually checked and updated.

With the festive season a distant memory, employees now have to get through the infamous January blues. Recent reports have found that mental health illnesses cost the UK and Irish economy more than £41.8 billion (€49.7 billion) combined, each year.

Coronavirus news has dominated the headlines for the last few months, but as we see the end of 2020, the full implications are now becoming a clear reality for many. On 23 June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU). Originally scheduled for 29 March 2019, the date the UK was to officially leave the EU was delayed to 31 January 2020, and on this date, the UK left the EU.

Many companies may operate a January to December leave year and, with the end of 2020 in sight, time may be running out for employees to take their leave. Ben McCarthy, employment law writer at Croner-i, explores whether employers should permit their employees to carry leave over into the next leave year.

FAQs on furlough and the Government’s Job Retention Scheme which aims to provide employers with an alternative to redundancies. The Job Retention Scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021.

The Job Retention Scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021. These FAQs relate to the Job Retention Scheme and its operation from July to October 2020. The Scheme will operate under adjusted rules from November 2020.

With the Job Retention (furlough) Scheme having been extended once again, many employers will be wondering if there are any key changes to the Scheme to be aware of. In short — yes, there are. Ben McCarthy, lead researcher and employment law writer at Croner-i, examines this more closely below.

How can PPE prevent the spread of coronavirus at work? Mike Sopp summarises Government guidance on when and where PPE should be used.

Months after being infected with Covid-19, people are still suffering with symptoms commonly known as “long Covid”. Laura King considers how workplaces should respond.