We round up the latest employment news.
Self-isolation rules expected to be scrapped by Thursday 24 February 2022 in England
The Prime Minister has said that the government expects to remove all legal requirements for people to self-isolate either because they have the virus, or have been in close contact with someone that has, on Thursday 24 February 2022. This is part of its strategy to live with the virus. COVID-19 will be treated in the same way as seasonal flu, and people will be able to go out and about if they’re well enough.
It will make an announcement on Monday 21 February 2022 and will set out guidance which will recommend that people avoid work if they test positive, but it won’t legally require them to self-isolate.
COVID-19: new advice for pregnant employees
The Department of Health and Social Care has updated its advice for pregnant employees. It continues to recommend that pregnant women should be fully vaccinated and points to clinical data that suggests that the risk of COVID-related complications increases from around 26 weeks’ gestation. It also recommends that all pregnant employees should take LFT regularly if they’re coming into work.
Nearly 50% of employers have staff experiencing long-COVID
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has published a warning that nearly half (46%) of employers have employees who’ve experienced long-COVID in the last 12 months. It recommends that organisations urgently review their health and wellbeing strategy to support staff with the condition.
The survey also found that of 804 organisations, 25% of employers include long-COVID among their main causes of long-term sickness absence. But only 26% of organisations provide training or guidance for line managers on how to support people to stay at work whilst managing health conditions.
BAME groups at higher risks of dying from COVID-19
The Office for National Statistics has published updated analysis of deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnic group for England between Tuesday 8 December 2020 (the start of the vaccination programme) and Wednesday 1 December 2021. It suggests that during the third wave (June – December 2021) the rate of death was higher for most minority groups, with the highest risk group being those from the Bangladeshi community.
The ONS says that the differences in mortality are largely explained by socio-demographic and economic factors, and health. Plus, lower vaccination coverage in some ethnic groups (particularly Black African and Black Caribbean groups) contributes to an elevated risk of dying from the virus.
Employers may need to take this data into consideration when carrying out risk assessments.
New menopause taskforce
A new taskforce has been set up to tackle issues around the menopause, including increasing access to treatment and ending taboos and stigmas around the issue. Government ministers and senior clinicians will draw on best practices across the four nations of the UK. Future sessions will consider healthcare, education and awareness, menopause in the workplace, and research evidence and data.
Government pledge to cut EU red tape
The government has said it will introduce a new ‘Brexit Freedoms’ Bill to make it easier to amend or remove ‘outdated retained EU law’ which, it says, was a Brexit ‘bridging measure’. The government’s press release says that officials are reviewing all EU retained laws to determine if they’re beneficial to the UK.
This could have a huge impact on employment laws such as those around holiday pay, which have been shaped by decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Government urged to introduce ethnic pay gap reporting by 2023
The Women and Equalities Committee has urged the government to introduce ethnic pay gap reporting by April 2023 for all organisations who currently have to report their gender pay gaps. Its report recommends that organisations should also publish a supporting narrative and action plan, and asks the government to provide guidance to help employers comply.
Pay and tax thresholds for employers 2022/23
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published new guidance detailing the rates and thresholds for employers operating a payroll or providing expenses and benefits to their employees. These rates and allowances apply from Wednesday 6 April 2022 to Wednesday 5 April 2023.
Read more - February 2022
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