Following Public Health England issuing details that widespread transmission of coronavirus in the UK is now “highly likely”, here is some crucial insight for business leaders.

Also known as COVID-19, the illness has seen 13 new patients diagnosed on Sunday (March 1st) in the UK. Therefore, important factors for employers to understand are:

• The government published daily updates at 2pm with the latest stats and advice
• Acas has also produced workplace specific guidance which sets out the steps that employers should be taking
• For industries affected by coronavirus, this guidance on short-time working and lay-offs may prove to be useful.

In addition, employment law barrister, Daniel Barnett, has provided the following insight:

How can we reduce the risk to our employees?

The risk level is currently identified as moderate. Employers should send round an email/guidance encouraging employees to be extra-vigilant with washing their hands, using and disposing of tissues etc.

If organisations have the capacity to do so, it may be worth designating an ‘isolation room’ where an employee – who feels ill – can go and sit away from the rest of the company and privately call ‘111’ before taking any further necessary action.

If an employee is not sick but is in quarantine or self-isolation, do we have to pay them sick pay?

There is no legal right to sick pay in these circumstances, but it would be good practice. Otherwise organisations run the risk of them coming into work and potentially spreading the virus to the rest of the workforce.

There is also a risk of an argument that – by choosing not to pay someone who has self-isolated – the firm has breached the implied term of trust and confidence and hence constructively dismissed them. But such argument could be considered “weak” for many reasons.

What if employees do not want to come to work?

Some people may be worried about catching coronavirus and therefore unwilling to come into work. If this is the case, employers should listen carefully to the concerns of their employees and – if possible – offer flexible working arrangements such as homeworking.

Employees can also request time off as holiday or unpaid leave – but there is no obligation on employers to agree to this. If an employee refuses to attend work, organisations are entitled to take disciplinary action.

However, my [Daniel Barnett’s] view is that dismissal is likely to be outside the range of reasonable responses, at least for now. If someone refuses to come into work and the COVID-19 issues continue into the medium term, my [DB] view might change.