Policy on Dealing with Coronavirus in the Workplace

Peter Samms Equipment Ltd is committed to ensuring the health and safety of all employees and staff who are self-employed. To this end, this policy sets out steps that the company is taking in order to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, alongside expectations that are placed upon employees.

We strongly encourage all employees to follow these guidelines from the World Health Organisation on infection control, both whilst at work and in their daily lives. This includes:

• Frequently cleaning their hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, covering mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue, throwing the tissue away immediately and washing their hands.
• Avoiding close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough.

If you begin to display symptoms of the virus, you must follow government guidance to find out what to do next, which may involve internet and phone services. You should not go to your doctor’s surgery. You must also notify your manager at the earliest opportunity.

The company accepts that some of its employees will have plans to travel in the near future, including pre-booked and paid for holidays. Certain countries have been identified as having been severely affected by the virus and we would therefore ask that employees consider, for their health reasons, whether travelling to these areas is the best thing to do. If a decision is made to travel, we ask that employees let their manager know of the countries to be visited so that their return can be managed appropriately.

We also ask all employees to keep themselves up to date with government guidance on the countries which require self-isolation upon return, and bear in mind that this guidance can change on a daily basis. If you would like to cancel any pre-booked annual leave, you should discuss this with your manager.

The government is currently advising people to self-isolate in certain situations for a period of 14 days, which means staying at home and not having contact with other people. In the event that this applies to you, you must not attend work during the isolation period. You must inform your manager at the earliest opportunity that you are under guidance to self-isolate, and your manager will keep in contact with you during this period. Where feasible we can agree a period of paid annual leave with you. Where no other agreement is made you will receive statutory sick pay subject to qualifying criteria in place at the relevant time.

If we are concerned that you may have been exposed to the virus, even though you are not displaying symptoms, we may take the decision to send you home or not ask you to attend work. This may occur if, for example, you inform us that you have been in close contact with someone else who has, or may have, the virus. This is treated as a period of suspension for medical reasons. It is not considered a disciplinary sanction; the period of suspension will be in recognition of the possibility that your continued presence in the workplace poses a risk of spreading the virus. You will receive full pay during this time off. Alternatively, we may agree a period of paid annual leave with you.

If, during this period of suspension, you develop symptoms, you should follow government guidance on what to do next, which may include using internet or telephone services, and also follow our normal sickness reporting procedures. You will then be treated as being on a period of sickness absence.

If you contract the virus, you should take and follow medical advice on the length of your sickness absence. You are required to produce a medical certificate for illnesses lasting more than seven calendar days; however, we appreciate that you may not be in a position to obtain a medical certificate in usual timescales, therefore you should provide it as soon as is reasonably practicable. During your absence, you will receive statutory sick pay in accordance with government rules in place from time to time.

Unless you have followed our usual reporting procedures in relation to sickness absence, are in self-isolation following government guidance, or are not attending work under our specific instruction, you are expected to attend work as normal. However, if there is a reason why you think you may have been exposed to the virus, you should let your manager know before you return to work.

As time progresses, it may become clear that the business is temporarily unable to continue its operations as normal. In this scenario, we may be forced to close all, or part, of the business temporarily until such a time as we are able to resume operations. Whilst we will do everything we can to ensure that this does not happen, we may be left with no option but to place you on lay off, or short time working. During this time, you will receive full pay.

We operate a zero tolerance policy to all forms of harassment and bullying in the workplace. We will not tolerate any unacceptable behaviour to colleagues, suppliers, members of the public and others. Any complaints of this nature will be investigated in line with our usual policy and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.