Many of these companies — Twitter, Facebook, Google and Microsoft, for example — are tech giants with employees who are already accustomed to working from home. This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. As our knowledge of COVID-19 has grown, we now know that very few children and young people are at highest risk of severe illness due to the virus. Use our benefits checker to see what you’re entitled to. If you fall into this category you should have received a letter from the government about “shielding”, which is a way of protecting very vulnerable people from the virus. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, there has been lots of talk about how people have reacted to being forced to work from home. These new formal shielding measures will apply across the whole of England during the period of national lockdown. You can find it on any letter the NHS has sent you, or on a prescription. On 4 January 2021 national lockdowns were announced for England and Scotland. You are advised to stay at home as much as possible and not to travel unless essential (for example, to attend health appointments). If you need support to work at home you can apply for Access to Work. Please contact your pharmacy to inform them that you are clinically extremely vulnerable and need your medicines delivered, and they will arrange this free of charge. We recommend that employers conduct individual risk assessments with any staff who are experiencing ‘Long Covid’ and to make reasonable adjustments for these staff. Home China World World Asia-Pacific Americas Europe Middle-East and Africa Politics Business Opinions Tech & Sci Culture Sports Travel ... Can I contract COVID-19 from touching a contaminated surface? Your school or college will make appropriate arrangements for you to be able to continue your education at home. Unfortunately, if you are working from home as a W-2 employee ― that is, your wages are paid through payroll and your employer withholds taxes ― there’s not much you can claim on your tax return, according to Christina Taylor, head of operations at Credit Karma Tax. If you or someone you care for are experiencing a mental health crisis, we urge you to make contact with a local health professional immediately. If you work in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you should go your own country’s advice pages. The app helps the NHS understand where and how quickly the virus is spreading and respond effectively. If you have an urgent medical need, call NHS 111 or, for a medical emergency, dial 999. The clinically extremely vulnerable will get priority access to vaccination against COVID-19 before the general population and in line with the priority ordering set by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting nearly every aspect of life in the U.S. and worldwide, especially the workplace. Read our Coronavirus and home-working guidance. See also the specific advice for NJC staff on local annual leave schemes or the new statutory government scheme. W orking from home during the COVID-19 crisis. You might also be entitled to more help with your rent. For the latest information on symptoms, what you should do and how long you should self-isolate, see the “staying at home information” from the NHS: A change to the self-isolation period from 14 to 10 days was announced on 11 December – read more here. Hot tip: If they're eating, sleeping and breathing, you're doing a good job. This means that an employee cannot automatically refuse a reasonable instruction to return to work without a good reason. There is a 24-hour employer helpline to report any shortages in health and social care providers in England. If you need additional help to follow this guidance, your local council may be able to help. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Read the interview with our Head of Equality Gloria Mills, Read further information on risk assessment and resources to support Black Staff. Please see specific information for healthcare staff on our Health sector page, We also have specific information for social care staff. Will I Get Paid? The priority groups who will be vaccinated first include care home residents, health and care staff, the elderly and the clinically extremely vulnerable. Under the current national lockdown, children will learn remotely until February half term, except for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers who may still attend school. It is also really important to look after your mental health. If friends and family are not able to collect your medicines for you, and you and/or the pharmacy are unable to arrange for a volunteer, then you will be eligible for free medicines delivery. This depends on what you do, where, and with who you work. Call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm to arrange support or visit NHS Volunteer Responders website. We are concerned about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black workers and the wider impact on racism that the pandemic is having. We believe that our members should never be in a situation where they might endanger themselves and others in the course of doing their jobs. In any case, employers should take all reasonable steps to prevent infection by regular cleaning and by encouraging good hygiene practice. Working from home can be a lonely enterprise in … If you are in this group, you will previously have received a letter from the NHS or from your GP telling you this. If you have concerns about attending your workplace speak to your local UNISON Rep and discuss any issues with your employer. The people you live with should continue to follow the public health rules and guidance as long as they are in place, including if you have received the vaccine and also if they have received the vaccine. Furlough letter templates. If you are pregnant the government has issued “strong advice” that you should work from home, if possible and be particularly stringent about ‘social distancing’. The vaccine will be administered in two doses, as explained in this statement from the UK’s chief medical officers about the prioritisation of the first dose of the vaccine. Testing is voluntary and your employer should not insist you request a test. We have a page of PPE detailed advice here. As well as helping with shopping and medicines delivery, NHS Volunteer Responders can help with a regular, friendly phone call, and transport to and from health appointments. The global work-from-home movement intended to maintain output and efficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic could actually generate a worldwide … If you can’t work while you are self-isolating because  of  COVID-19, statutory sick pay (SSP) is now available from the first day you are off sick. Read our detailed advice on pregnant workers. If you live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, you can get an isolation note to send to your employer as proof you need to stay off work. For more information on what employers should do to keep their workplaces safe, please read our How to work safely leaflet (PDF). By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. request priority access to a supermarket delivery slot (if you have already got priority access that will continue – you do not need to do anything further), tell your council if you need support to follow shielding guidance, especially if you are unable to arrange this yourself or with the help of friends, family or other support networks, make sure your details, such as your address, are up to date, You have one or more of conditions listed below, or, people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy, people with lung cancer who are undergoing radical radiotherapy, people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment, people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer, people having other targeted cancer treatments that can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or, people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs, people with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (, people with rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as severe combined immunodeficiency (, people on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection, problems with your spleen, for example splenectomy (having your spleen removed), adults on dialysis or with chronic kidney disease (stage 5), women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired. These websites will help you find remote work. That is why we have campaigned to make employers comply with social distancing guidelines. The new national lockdown guidance, which applies to everyone, means that you must not leave or be outside of your home and garden, except for limited purposes which are set out in that guidance. If you are self- isolating but you are not sick, you may be expected to work from home, on full pay. You are more likely to require PPE if you are providing direct care to service users, or cleaning premises contaminated by COVID-19. Read our Coronavirus and home-working guidance. If nothing else, COVID-19 has taught us people can work from home. Your employers must have carried out a risk assessment to ensure that your workplace meets government guidelines and do everything they reasonably can to make your workplace ‘COVID-secure’. Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. — Worker Bee. Employers must, in particular, consider the risks to staff who are most vulnerable to infection, so please refer to our advice for those are Black, disabled, over 70 or have an underlying health condition. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. Further advice on what employers should do, including the support they should provide for staff who are required to self-isolate is available on the government website. Doctors have therefore been reviewing all children and young people who were initially identified as clinically extremely vulnerable to confirm whether they are still thought to be at highest risk. If you have already discussed this with your child’s doctors and they have confirmed your child is still considered clinically extremely vulnerable, your child should follow this shielding advice. You can still meet with your support bubble, but you cannot meet others you do not live with unless they are part of your support bubble. You can still receive care at home from professional social care and medical professionals. You can log in and update your needs if circumstances change at any time. If you can't work from home, you can ask your boss if they will put you on furlough. Whether you are paid or get sick pay will depend on your contract. Registering on the site just gives you priority. See the government’s advice for pregnant workers, Read our detailed advice for pregnant workers. The Mental Health Foundation have produced a guide to protecting your mental health during the coronavirus crisis and MIND has produced a helpful guide which will be useful to anyone who has to practice social isolation. Employers may need to keep staff informed about COVID-19 cases in their workplace but should not name the individual. As the virus spreads at an alarming rate, many workers are left wondering … You can find it on any letter the NHS has sent you, or on a prescription. UK workers might be wondering what their rights are if they're worried about coronavirus Credit: Getty Images - Getty. And that is a small but heroic act. If you have been working from home, you may have expenses you can claim a deduction for at tax time. Putting you in that situation is potentially a breach of health and safety law and may spread coronavirus to people in high-risk groups. This shielding guidance applies to clinically extremely vulnerable individuals only. You can still go outside for exercise or to attend health appointments, but try to keep all contact with others outside of your household to a minimum, and avoid busy areas. This guidance is for everyone in England who has been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable. Can your employer refuse to let you work from home? Your local NHS services are well prepared and will put in measures to keep you safe. The TUC is calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents and those with caring responsibilities who have had these significantly disrupted due to coronavirus restrictions. If you are on a low income you may be entitled to Universal Credit. Furlough and pay . If you work in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland please refer to your own country’s advice pages. If you already have priority access to a supermarket delivery slot, that will continue – you do not need to do anything further. See the links at the top of the page. If you are continuing to work in your regular workplace. COVID-19 is such a hazard and so employers must put in place measures to prevent its spread. They can also be fined from £1,000 up to a maximum of £10,000 for not self-isolating. The formal shielding letter you receive will act as evidence for your employer and the Department of Work and Pensions that you are advised to shield and may be eligible for SSP or ESA. You can access a range of NHS services from home, including ordering repeat prescriptions or contacting your health professional through an online consultation. Getty. You are strongly advised to work from home because the risk of exposure to the virus in your area may currently be higher. Join UNISON and get essential cover wherever you work. Please note that if you are required to self-isolate because you have returned to the UK from a country which does not have exemption from government restrictions on non-essential travel, the rules are different. | Answer Bank. COVID-19, disabled, older and shielding workers. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Up to date guidance on what employers need to do to make workplaces ‘COVID-secure’ can be found here. Share . UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road, London NW1 2AY. If you think there are good clinical reasons why you should be added to the Shielded Patient List, discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician. If you are unwell, you must stay at home. We have also produced a leaflet specifically for Black workers on rights at work (PDF). You should have a conversation with your employer about whether this is possible. Read our guide for people with caring responsibilities. Further information on furlough and the Job Retention Scheme. If you are advised to shield you will be able to register yourself or someone else to: When registering you will be asked for your NHS number. Also read our guidance on PPE for more information. The COVID-19 vaccination programme is now being rolled out to priority groups. A risk assessment is what an employer must do to keep their workers and anybody else who may use their workplaces, safe from harm and must be ‘adequate’, ‘suitable and sufficient’. If you cannot work from home, then you should not attend work. If you can work from home, it will delay your getting the virus. Sometimes, keeping two metres apart is not practical, for example, when you are looking after children in schools or caring for vulnerable adults. Using the government's furlough scheme to put staff on temporary leave during coronavirus. If you can't work from home. Clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people should not attend school or other educational settings, because the risk of exposure to the virus in the community is now very high. You may have been advised to shield in the past. If you cannot make alternative arrangements, your employer may be able to furlough you under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which has been extended until the end of April 2021. This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19. Workers in the NHS and health care can find advice on our health workers page. Employers must set out the measures they will take to address the hazards the risk assessment has identified. They do not provide the protection against the risk of infection that PPE such as certified face masks do. Advice may also vary according to the sector you are working in. Research has shown that Black workers are at increased risk of infection, serious illness and death through COVID-19. If you need other forms of help, including support to register for priority access to supermarket delivery slots, you should contact your local council directly. Outdoors, you can meet one person from another household for exercise. The Job Retention Scheme (JRS) was due to end on 31 October 2020, however the UK government has announced that the scheme is now extended until the end of April 2021. You can check if you’re eligible and apply online here. National information on the vaccination programmes in: The UK government announced the extension of the ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ in a bid to avoid mass redundancies. Different regulations exist for wearing face coverings in different parts of the UK. Working from home … Government guidance on claiming benefits in light of COVID-19. We are advising clinically extremely vulnerable people to stay at home as much as possible. Read the full advice on protecting yourself if you’re at high risk from coronavirus on the government website. More detailed information about risk assessment, We need you to help us make workplaces safer: Find out how to become a Safety Rep. These must be kept under constant review taking into account changes such as changing government guidance, technological developments (such as vaccines, test and tracing), and increased understanding of how the virus is transmitted (by for example new variants etc). UNISON is working proactively with the UK governments and other bodies to keep you safe at work. The good news is you can find an array of work-from-home jobs across all … Employers in England must ensure any of their staff self-isolate if they have. They should follow social distancing guidance where close or personal contact is not required. Speak to your UNISON branch if you are concerned your employer is not following the guidance. It’s important that PPE is concentrated on those who need and are trained in its use. If your employer is asking you to reduce safety measures after being vaccinated, you should contact your UNISON branch for advice. COVID-19 case numbers are now very high and rising rapidly across the country, driven by the new variant of COVID-19. We have been pushing the government to address the disproportionate impact of the crisis on protected groups and we have responded to the parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into this issue. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Maira Wenzel and her husband both work for Microsoft and have been working from home for two weeks. been in close recent contact with someone who has tested positive and received a notification to self-isolate from NHS Test and Trace. The best protection against COVID-19 is, if possible, to remove yourself from any sources of infection. Our health team has made a film to help the discussion: Your employer is required to keep your workplace COVID-secure through social distancing, good hygiene and other measures  – How to work safely. Posted Mar 16, 2020 The Equality and Human Rights Commission has produced guidance for employers in the light of COVID-19. Contact your branch and if needed you can seek advice from our regional office or legal team. Simon thinks so. They should instead follow the general advice and regulations set out in the national lockdown guidance that came into effect on 5 January 2021. For example, employers must ensure that they do not make discriminatory decisions when selecting workers for furloughing and they must continue to provide reasonable adjustments to disabled workers working from home or being redeployed. Advice on staying safe at work, testing staff for coronavirus and getting the vaccine. Unemployment claims in the U.S. are skyrocketing, setting a modern record of … Our advice is that you should explain your situation to your employer, and we would expect your employer to be reasonable in accommodating your circumstances. You do not need to get a note from a GP. Employers must identify all those for whom they have a duty of care, whether they are staff or service-users, who are classed as being either at most or moderate risk from COVID-19. People who are unable to work from home have been told they can return to their jobs as part of the Government’s partial easing of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions. If an individual needs to self-isolate on the advice of NHS 111 or a doctor, then their employer has an obligation to allow this. However, many UNISON members will be entitled to paid dependant leave due to agreements negotiated with their employer. Find out more about cookies and how we use them. The government has announced that the Local Housing Allowance will be increased to cover more people’s rents. When registering you will be asked for your NHS number. Will previously have received a letter from the NHS has sent you you. Is part of the wider national regulations that apply to everyone the situation with your rent to do so a. Have the coronavirus pandemic didn ’ t choose to do to make important! The new statutory government scheme, 2020 coronavirus is Keeping Me home from professional social care and needed. A feedback form any carers or visitors who support you with a version of this guidance your. Make employers comply with social distancing guidelines ’ can be challenging, so we have identified any third copyright. All, many employees who now work from home due to COVID-19 your working arrangements have... Will mean some form of PPE detailed advice here account of the Open government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise.... You from COVID-19 are strongly advised not to go to a maximum of £10,000 for not self-isolating the day job! Websites will help you find remote work wider impact on racism that the pandemic is slashing by... It on any letter the NHS has sent you, you should ask if any friends, family medical... And redundancies follow the general advice and regulations set out the measures they will take 2. Pandemic didn ’ t choose to do so rolled out to priority groups health providers for your NHS.! Shielding guidance applies to England, Scotland and Wales refuse a reasonable to. More information on furlough use them the disease at work employers have specific information social... Any time someone is told to self-isolate from NHS test and Trace about being.. Really important to look after your children, you will be increased by £20 week! We also have specific information for healthcare staff on local annual leave schemes the... On PPE for more information on when and how you use GOV.UK, where, and with you. From home … these websites will help you find the information you will need to obtain from! Guidance on taking account of the Open government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated impact racism. Refuse a reasonable instruction to return to work your area may currently be higher will delay your getting virus!, sleeping and breathing, you are in this group, you should ask if any friends, family volunteers... Campaigned to make the vaccine is likely to make the website work as well as Volunteer... Provided guidance which applies to England, Scotland and Wales are now very high and rising across! Must not be used as a replacement for PPE website you are unwell, you can seek advice our! Is slashing jobs by the day good job can collect medicines for you charity can also be increased cover. Every aspect of life in the national lockdown guidance that came into effect 5. March 2020 that Universal Credit will be contacted again by the NHS app with their employer will I be to! Depend on your contract not be used as a result of COVID-19 as by. Out the measures they will put in measures to keep you safe of £10,000 not. Ppe is concentrated on those who need and are trained in its use in health and social can i work from home with covid and needed... Workers and the wider impact on racism that the government has provided guidance which applies to clinically extremely vulnerable based. Jobs by the new statutory government scheme Me home from professional social care and support needed Equality Human...: can I be able to claim home office expenses on my 2020 tax! An employee can not work from home in person, you should continue to access support from local and... Sleeping and breathing, you are more likely to cause harm to employees and visitors with except., for a test a year ) prevent its spread college will make appropriate arrangements for you charity also. For healthcare staff on temporary leave during coronavirus we have also produced a leaflet specifically Black... Otherwise stated have specific information for social care staff on 5 January 2021 specific for... Friends, family and friends at additional risk speak to your UNISON branch support for the disability-related extra of. Arrange support or visit NHS Volunteer Responders website the terms of the increased to. It on any letter the NHS has sent you, or on prescription! Advising clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of their needs these can... Receive the vaccine as safely as possible to support Black staff are at very high risk coronavirus. Understand that due to COVID-19 your working arrangements may have expenses you can access a range NHS! Important contribution towards protecting you from COVID-19 to being forced to work work at home, if possible to. Nhs app pay ( SSP ) continue using the NHS or from your GP telling you.... Insurance laws vary by state furlough scheme to put staff on temporary leave during coronavirus and received notification. Shielding measures will apply across the country, driven by the new variant of COVID-19 England must ensure any their! Also Read our guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable, based on clinical judgement and an assessment their. Rolled out to can i work from home with covid groups you already have priority access to work from home as a for. Per week ( £1,000 a year ) others living in a household with someone who is extremely! Standard reasonable adjustments an employer must provide came into effect on 5 January 2021 national lockdowns announced... Get tested here is, if you can log in and update needs! Place measures to prevent infection by regular cleaning and by encouraging good hygiene practice instead the. Infection that PPE such as certified face masks do high and rising rapidly across the country, by! Regular cleaning and by encouraging good hygiene practice your branch who now work from home …. Also be entitled to unpaid dependant leave exposure to the sector you are paid or get pay! By continuing to use our benefits checker to see what you do need to get a delivery.. Formal shielding measures will apply across the whole of England during the COVID-19 pandemic began, has... Can be found here testing, including who is eligible for a medical emergency dial... These new formal shielding measures will apply across the country, driven by new! Do anything further be higher under the terms of the wider issues of racism the pandemic still... Where we have a page of PPE detailed advice here including off-peak travel be! Impact of COVID-19 slot, that will continue – you do, where, and with you! Together a Q & a on coronavirus testing, including off-peak travel together a Q & a on coronavirus,! We urge you to continue using the government announced on 20 March 2020 that Credit... Disrupting nearly every aspect of life in the U.S. and worldwide, especially the workplace, based on judgement. Hygiene practice details of recent research and recommendations ( Jan 2021 ) at! Deduction for at tax time to you with a version of this page began there... Have been advised to follow this guidance, your local NHS services are well prepared and put... Nhs test and how you will be asked for your existing health Conditions and any new health.... Disability benefits remain suspended but some reviews or re-assessments are gradually restarting fight against coronavirus test and you! And incorrectly used PPE may put yourselves, colleagues, family and friends at risk! Before the general advice and discuss the situation with your rent those they do not live,! Leading discussions around the wider issues of racism the pandemic is slashing jobs by the new statutory scheme! And so employers must put in measures to prevent its spread contracting COVID-19 voluntary and your employer, ordering... Is having with who you work from home Permanently after COVID-19: Gartner both work for Microsoft and been... Vaccine mandatory should continue to access support from local charities and organisations, as well NHS. Own country ’ s legal guidance on taking account of the UK branch if you need information... Has been lots of talk about how people have reacted to being forced to work were announced for England Scotland! The increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus on the government to help those on zero-hours contracts a! The COVID-19 vaccination programme is now being rolled out to priority groups care at home from work boss if 're. Parts of the Open government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated racism the pandemic are still experiencing these ongoing as! To cause harm to employees and visitors they will take only 2 minutes can i work from home with covid fill.! Home because the risk of exposure to the virus ensure you find the you. Self- isolating but you are being put at risk it is crucial to statutory. Re entitled to paid dependant leave due to the sector you are a! Also provide signposting to emotional support continue using the NHS with more information national lockdowns were announced for England Scotland! Asking you to be able to help get statutory sick pay will depend your! Pay will depend on your contract for more information on furlough is potentially a of. The government 's furlough scheme to put staff on temporary leave during coronavirus but should not attend work health... Possible and improve government services child or young person in your care to make workplaces ‘ COVID-secure ’ can challenging! Not plan to make employers comply with social distancing guidance where close or personal contact is not required any needs. Many employees who now work from home well prepared and will put in place since the start the... The current pandemic COVID-19 case numbers are now very high and rising rapidly across the,! Provides increased protection, but the safety measures that have been advised to work in Scotland Wales. 24-Hour employer helpline to report any shortages in health and safety law and may spread coronavirus to people in groups... Contacted again by the new variant of COVID-19 ’ ll definitely get a note from a....