NHS Test and Trace in the workplace
Central Government have collated a range of guidance on what to do if you or someone you employ is contacted by NHS Test and Trace, including self-isolation and financial support.
Guidance for employers:
It’s critical that employers take steps to keep workers and visitors safe. By following the sector-specific guidance, employers can reduce the risk of co-workers having to self-isolate if a member of staff tests positive for COVID-19.
Working from home, where possible, is essential to limiting contacts between households. It’s recommended that people continue to work from home, unless it’s not reasonably possible to do so.
If you need to leave your home to carry out your usual work duties you can do so. If necessary, you can also travel for work purposes and stay away from home.
It is vital that employers play their part by:
- making their workplaces as safe as possible (where working from home is not possible)
- supporting their workers when in self-isolation
It is a legal requirement for employers to not knowingly allow an employee who has been told to self-isolate to come into work or work anywhere other than their own home for the duration of their self-isolation period. Failure to do so could result in a fine starting from £1,000.
NHS Test and Trace will support businesses and economic recovery by:
- providing free testing for anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus
- asking those that test positive and their close contacts to self-isolate to stop the spread of the virus in the workplace
- enabling the government to safely lift lockdown measures
Employers (and the self-employed) must continue to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. They also have similar obligations in respect of other people, for example agency workers, contractors, volunteers, customers, suppliers and other visitors.
Workplace risk:
Employers must review risk assessments to ensure they remain suitable and sufficient. Where COVID-19 is a risk in the workplace, it must form part of the risk assessment.
The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance to help you conduct a risk assessment.
Employers have a duty to consult their workers, and unions where applicable, as part of their risk assessment. Involving workers in this will help build trust and confidence that all reasonably practicable steps are being taken to reduce risks of COVID-19, so that people can return to work safely. Employers should share the risk assessment with workers and consider publishing the risk assessment on their website.
Guidance for workers:
Working from home, where possible, is essential to limiting contacts between households. It’s recommended that people continue to work from home, unless it’s not reasonably possible to do so.
If you need to leave your home to carry out your usual work duties you can do so. If necessary, you can also travel for work purposes and stay away from home.
NHS Test and Trace will contact you if you’ve had close recent contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus. If you’re told to self-isolate you have a legal duty to inform your employers that you have been instructed to self-isolate, as soon as possible before you are next due to work. Failure to do so could result in a £50 fine.
Guidance for self-employed people:
If you’re self-employed, you must continue to work from home if you can. If you cannot, you should follow the sector-specific advice.
Working from home, where possible, is essential to limiting contacts between households. It’s recommended that people continue to work from home, unless it’s not reasonably possible to do so.
If you need to leave your home to carry out your usual work duties you can do so. If necessary, you can also travel for work purposes and stay away from home.