Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

CoronavirusLatest NewsHealth and safetyCommuting

Employers can help to stem crowded commutes

by Jo Faragher 18 May 2020
by Jo Faragher 18 May 2020 A tube station in London as lockdown restrictions eased last week
Dezonne Erica/ABACA/ABACA/PA Images
A tube station in London as lockdown restrictions eased last week
Dezonne Erica/ABACA/ABACA/PA Images

The chairman of Network Rail has said employers play a vital role in how commuting volumes can be managed as some workers return to work for the second week since lockdown was eased.

Sir Peter Hendy said that employers can “strongly influence people’s behaviour”, adding “you wouldn’t set out for work if someone told you not to come”.

Returning to work

Travel document confirming need for work-related travel 

Return to work: Employers’ questions answered

Government advice in England remains that people are advised to work from home if possible, with only certain sectors such as construction and manufacturing encouraged to return to work.

The government also announced last week that cleaners and nannies could return to work in people’s homes, providing social distancing rules were observed.

However, security guards trained in crowd control have been placed on duty at major railway stations this morning, with new measures in place to prevent passengers boarding trains or entering platforms if there are too many people.

Some intercity trains will be reservation only, with train operators blocking off some seats to ensure passengers are spread out.

Network Rail has been asked by the government to come up with a plan to manage the flow of passengers, with additional signs in stations and areas set aside for queuing.

However Mick Cash, general secretary of transport union RMT, said rail companies should introduce “new compulsory protections” such as the wearing of masks.

He said: “We have the crazy situation of Eurostar passengers arriving with masks on into St Pancras but then not wearing masks when they transfer to the Tube or other rail services.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged workers to avoid coming into the capital on public transport unless absolutely necessary.

He said: “London’s doing an incredible job slowing the spread of Covid-19, but if we’re to prevent a disastrous second wave we must all continue to stay at home as much as possible and avoid any unnecessary travel, especially on public transport. Don’t let up now. Let’s keep it going.”

New guidance was issued last week by the government on how commuters can travel more safely, including travelling at off-peak times, wearing a face mask and starting or ending their journey at a less busy station.

HR business partner opportunities on Personnel Today

Browse more HR business partner jobs

Jo Faragher
Jo Faragher

Jo Faragher has been an employment and business journalist for 20 years. She regularly contributes to Personnel Today and writes features for a number of national business and membership magazines. Jo is also the author of 'Good Work, Great Technology', published in 2022 by Clink Street Publishing, charting the relationship between effective workplace technology and productive and happy employees. She won the Willis Towers Watson HR journalist of the year award in 2015 and has been highly commended twice.

previous post
Immigration Bill is ‘not fair and not in the national interest’
next post
Mental Health Awareness Week: employers must recognise coronavirus challenges

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Sham training of security officers exposed

3 Oct 2023

ICO publishes workplace monitoring guidance

3 Oct 2023

Consultants offer ‘olive branch’ on strikes

3 Oct 2023

Personnel Today Awards 2023 shortlist: Innovation in Recruitment...

3 Oct 2023

Top 10 HR questions September 2023: the role...

3 Oct 2023

Brand and belonging: why workplace culture is key...

3 Oct 2023

Will the Predictable Terms and Conditions Act change...

3 Oct 2023

Civil service headcount capped and EDI spending to...

2 Oct 2023

EHRC supports tribunal claim for ‘menopause discrimination’

2 Oct 2023

Almost a fifth of UK workers feel undervalued...

2 Oct 2023

  • Almost a fifth of UK workers feel undervalued – we need to solve this PROMOTED | A new report has found...Read more
  • Discover the value of CIPD accreditation PROMOTED | See how the CIPD can increase your earning potential...Read more
  • What does it mean to be an HR professional in 2024? (survey) PROMOTED | The world of HR is changing rapidly...Read more
  • The Contractor Management Mastery Pack: Everything you need to manage and pay global contractors PROMOTED | Answers to cross-border...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today