Free HR Advice for Business dealing with COVID-19

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 25 March 2020

UPDATED: 27 March 2020

In these extraordinary times many businesses need urgent HR and employment advice. The good news is that help is only a phone call away and you have one free call to our Emergency HR advice line. Specialist HR advisors are waiting to help you and asses your situation.

Common questions we're hearing are:

• My employee’s child’s school has closed but I need them at work. What can I do?

If you are able to work from home you may continue to do this.  If this is not possible; you may opt to use your holiday days or take a period of unpaid leave.  It is recommended you discuss this with your employer. 

• Are zero hours employees entitled to SSP?

The usual SSP qualification rules apply to all employees.

• What happens if I have to close my business temporarily?

You may opt to place your employees on the job retention scheme.  Or you would have to make employees redundant and make payments as necessary.

• What happens if I have to make redundancies and can't afford to pay?

The company must follow due process and make redundancy payments where possible.  If the employer is insolvent or refuses to pay; the government will guarantee the statutory redundancy payment from the National Insurance Fund.

• Can I let employees with under 2 years service go?

You must follow the correct process and have a valid reason for dismissing them.

• If I have no customers, lost contracts or cannot trade, can temporarily lay my staff off, reduce hours etc?

If you have a contractual right; you may be able to place employees on layoff or short time working rather than make them redundant.  Employee may be eligible for the statutory guarantee payment of £29 per day for a maximum of 5 days.  This is for a short period of time only and the process must be followed. 

Alternatively; the government announced a job retention scheme on 20th March; whereby employees may be placed on furlough leave.  Employers must discuss becoming a furlough worker with their employees. 

This means they will continue to be an employee and not be layed off or made redundant.  The government has arranged for payments to be made to furlough workers; see Government Guidance on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Call the Employers Emergency Advice Line

0333 2407 208

ONE FREE CALL. UNLIMITED TIME. NO CATCHES. NO OBLIGATIONS

HR and Health & Safety Experts   

Quest offers a range of services covering HR, employment law, health and safety, legal, insurance and tax to trade associations, affinity groups, Chambers of Commerce, insurers, accountants and other organisations throughout the UK.

Quest (formerly Qdos) is a partner of the Trade Association Forum and has been the preferred supplier of HR services to the British Chambers of Commerce for over 10 years.  From 2017 we have been the exclusive approved supplier of HR, health and safety, legal and tax services to the UK Chamber network. We are also an approved partner of the Trade Association Forum.

Quest is also partnered with Rhino Trade Insurance, providers of tradesman insurance.

COVID-19 Business Support Hub

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