Employers have had little time to prepare for the enormous people and HR challenges that Covid-19 poses. Below are some of the key workforce issues arising out of the outbreak.

The government has introduced new sick pay rules. Statutory sick pay is now payable to eligible workers from the first day an employee is off sick.

Employers need to understand their obligations under the new legislation, including when they are entitled to ask for medical evidence of sickness.

Some employees, who are not ‘sick’ or required to self-isolate, may refuse to go to work. Employers will need to understand how they should deal with this scenario if it arises. They will need to handle the issue delicately and will want to mitigate the risk of facing employment claims.

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