Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what protections and safeguards are in place for people who have been shielding, have underlying health conditions or have caring responsibilities and will be returning to work as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Employers have a legal duty to make sure the workplace is safe for their employees and should consider whether a person is clinically vulnerable in their risk assessment. In the first instance, employers should support these employees to work from home. Where this is not possible, employers should provide the safest onsite roles available to enable them to follow social distancing measures. The Health and Safety Executive website has specific guidance on the steps businesses should take.

Where HSE identifies employers who are not taking action to comply with the relevant public health legislation and guidance to control public health risks, they will consider taking a range of actions to improve control of workplace risks. Workers can raise concerns through their employee representative, trade union or direct to HSE.

We expect employers to be supportive of people with caring responsibilities during this difficult period. We encourage employers to provide flexible working arrangements for their staff, where possible – allowing for home working and changes to start and finish times. This flexibility can help working parents and carers balance work and care needs.

Employers can still access the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for clinically extremely vulnerable and those with caring responsibilities (for employees who have already been furloughed for a full three-week period prior to 30 June).