{"id":7411,"date":"2020-05-23T14:42:53","date_gmt":"2020-05-23T13:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=7411"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T10:15:00","slug":"businesses-look-after-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/businesses-look-after-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"How businesses can look after their employees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPeople & Leadership<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow businesses can look after their employees\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tStacey McIntosh<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Looking after your people when dealing with uncertainty is vital. After all, they are your company\u2019s most important asset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While offering great workforce experiences to your employees and workers should be at the top of your agenda, dealing with a situation such as the coronavirus outbreak makes that harder to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are ways and means to make sure you\u2019re supporting your people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This takes the form of different scenarios. From keeping them updated on any company communications to dealing with sick pay and employee wellbeing, covering your HR duties is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you, this article covers a series of topics to ensure that not only are you compliant with legislation, you also have some guidance to maintain the wellbeing of your employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Keep your employees in the loop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot of uncertainty around coronavirus<\/a> and what it means for your business. Keeping your employees informed of the latest developments \u2013 that are relevant to them \u2013 will help them be clear on any implications for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They might be required to keep coming to the workplace, depending on the industry your company is in. Or you may need them to work from home. Whatever the situation, it pays to keep them in the loop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, don\u2019t feel that your business needs to overcommunicate to your employees \u2013 and beware of under communicating too. Try and get the right balance so your people stay informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Webinar: Coronavirus business financial support<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Join our free webinar to understand what UK government financial help is available and how to access it.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind out more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Think about offering flexible working<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All employees in England, Wales and Scotland have a legal right to request flexible working (the rules are different for Northern Ireland). However, your business may consider taking the step of offering flexible working to your employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a report by International Workplace Group and MindMetre Research, 82% of businesses that offer flexible working revealed they are more productive<\/a>, while 58% of organisations said it led to an improvement in job satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps allowing your employees to start work earlier or finish later, for example, would help them juggle the demands of managing their home lives (such as looking after children or supporting older family members) and completing their work tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Allow your employees to work from home where possible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the UK government recommending that people embark on social distancing and staff work from home<\/a> if possible, it\u2019s worth reviewing the practicalities of the latter for your business and offering remote working if feasible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will depend on your business \u2013 if you\u2019re company is in retail, for example, front line staff will be required to be present at your workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, for back office staff covering the likes of finance and HR, it may be easier to allow them to work from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Consider holiday or unpaid leave for employees who don\u2019t want to enter the workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your business requires employees to go into work, you may find some people don\u2019t want to do so due to the coronavirus outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They might not want to get on public transport, for example, or be in an environment where they are around a lot of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take the time to listen to the concerns of your employees and address them in the best possible way \u2013 both for your staff and your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If an employee still decides that they don\u2019t want to be in the workplace (and working from home isn\u2019t realistic), if they put a request in, you could consider allowing them to use some of their holiday entitlement<\/a> or unpaid leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Acas, this would be at your discretion<\/a> and down to what\u2019s required of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coronavirus: Government funding support tool<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Use this simple tool to help you understand which government schemes your business is likely to be eligible for and guidance on accessing them.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind out more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Be clear on Statutory Sick Pay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By law, you have to pay employees \u00a395.85 per week of Statutory Sick Pay<\/a> (SSP) if they\u2019re ill \u2013 and eligible. Employees are eligible, as are casual and agency workers. However, those who are self-employed are not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SSP figure is subject to National Insurance and tax, and your business pays it in the same way you\u2019d pay employee salaries, ie on a weekly or monthly basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to pay it for up to 28 weeks<\/a> and can demand a fit note (sometimes called a sick note).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chancellor has announced that any business with fewer than 250 employees will be able to claim back two weeks of SSP from the government that is paid to any employees affected by coronavirus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While your business can\u2019t pay less than the SSP figure, you can pay your employees more \u2013 this should be set out in your workplace policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government rules say sick pay starts after day four. However, in light of the coronavirus outbreak, it now begins on the first day of sickness so employees who are self-isolating are eligible for SSP from day one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Time off to look after dependants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your employees have a right to time off to deal with an emergency involving family or those who rely upon them for care but who might be unrelated to them. This unplanned event could be linked to coronavirus, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike Statutory Sick Pay, there isn\u2019t a legal right to pay an employee who is in this situation during this period. There isn\u2019t a limit on the time that\u2019s taken either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the employee\u2019s contract or your workplace policy, you might offer to pay them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The employee should let you know as soon as possible that they require the time off. They don\u2019t have to do so in writing, it can be done verbally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Promote a healthy work life balance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No matter whether your employees are working from home or are required to come into the workplace, ensuring they are able to have the right work life balance is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage them to take regular breaks, including a lunch break \u2013 especially if they\u2019re working from home. By doing so, they will be able to remain productive and do their best work for the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if fitness is important to your employees but they\u2019re unable to use the gym membership they get as part of the company benefits scheme due to the government announcement that gyms should close for the meantime, for example, check whether their gym is offering online classes and let them know as part of your company communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Offer recognition for their work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this time of uncertainty, your employees will be striving to make sure that the business keeps moving in the right direction. Some might even put more time in to make sure your operations continue to run smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So don\u2019t forget to offer recognition for the work they\u2019re doing. Rewarding your employees doesn\u2019t have to be expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple \u201cthank you\u201d not only shows your gratitude, it demonstrates to your people that they are valued members of the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The coronavirus outbreak is bringing a lot of unknowns to businesses, who are having to adapt quickly as the situation changes. But there is one constant \u2013 the importance of your people to your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By looking after your staff and ensuring they are supported in the right way, you\u2019ll give them and your company the best chance of moving in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor’s note: This article was first published in March 2020 and has been updated for relevance.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Coronavirus and your business<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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We\u2019ve gathered information and resources to help navigate this situation, including tools and webinars, to help you understand what financial support is available.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind out more<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Subscribe to the Sage Advice newsletter<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Browse more topics from this article<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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