Most employers are starting to plan for a return to the workplace, however this could be at a different pace in different parts of the UK.
A few months ago the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, published new research showing that 2 in 5 people are anxious about returning to the workplace.
The CIPD says that governments must have a ‘people first’ approach to returning to the workplace, and to ensure that businesses are making decisions that are relevant for their specific workplace and workforce needs, the CIPD has set out five guiding principles for businesses:
- Know your business
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach – businesses will need to build on government guidance with a response that is specific to their sector, size, business need, environment and people. - Put people-first
Employers must put their people’s health and well-being first, protecting them from risk of infection at work and reducing their risk of exposure when travelling to and from work. Employees need assurance they will be working in a safe and supportive environment that supports physical and mental well-being, given the risk of Coronavirus is ongoing. - Be Flexible
Businesses will need to adjust working practices to protect employees’ safety and mental well-being. This will mean keeping people working from home where possible then phasing people back into the workplace gradually, staggering working hours and when people are travelling to work. Businesses may also need to reconfigure workstations and common shared spaces to enable social distancing and effective cleaning. - Be inclusive
Organisations need to balance fairness and consistency with flexibility to address individuals’ health concerns, given that people will have experienced the crisis in different ways. Line managers will need to be supported to help people transition back into work in a way that recognises their personal challenges and concerns, and helps them feel safe. - Be open
Individuals need to be confident that they can raise their concerns and needs about returning to the workplace without judgement. They need to know their concerns will be fairly considered by their line manager and employer and that they will be actively involved in decisions about coming back into work. The return to work must be a two-way conversation between an employer and individuals.
Visit the CIPD Coronavirus hub for the latest advice, resources and guidance to help your organisation respond to Coronavirus. Resources include FAQ’s, downloadable guides, videos, podcasts and webinars, all of which are free to access.
More Coronavirus advice for businesses on the nijobfinder blog.