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
  • OHW Awards
  • 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
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

ShieldingCoronavirusLatest NewsHealth and safetyFurlough

Vulnerable workers won’t need to shield from 1 April

by Ashleigh Webber 18 Mar 2021
by Ashleigh Webber 18 Mar 2021 Shutterstock
Shutterstock

Clinically extremely vulnerable workers will no longer be advised to shield from next month, and will be able to return to the workplace if they are unable to do their job from home.

As the Covid-19 infection rate continues to fall and vaccines are rolled out, the deputy chief medical officer (CMO) for England has advised that shielding guidance will be paused from 1 April onwards.

Covid-secure workplaces

Is ‘Covid-secure’ enough? The case for additional safety protocols

Covid-19 Secure workplaces: the detail for returning to work

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Letter setting out adjustments for clinically extremely vulnerable employee to work safely

More than nine in 10 clinically extremely vulnerable people have now received their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“With the prevalence of the virus in the community continuing to decrease now is the right time for people to start thinking about easing up on these more rigid guidelines,” said Dr Jenny Harries, deputy CMO.

“If you have been shielding, we strongly urge you to take extra precautions following 1 April to keep yourself as safe as possible, such as continuing to observe social distancing and working from home.”

People currently shielding will soon receive a letter confirming that from 1 April they will no longer be eligible for statutory sick pay or Employment and Support Allowance if they cannot work on the basis of being advised to shield. They may still qualify for these support schemes if they fall ill.

Such workers may still be eligible for the furlough scheme, which will remains in place until 30 September 2021.

Guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care to those shielding says: “Everyone is advised to continue to work from home where possible, but if you cannot work from home you should now attend your workplace [from 1 April].

“Your employer is required to take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 in the workplace and should be able to explain to you the measures they have put in place to keep you safe at work.”

Latest HR job opportunities on Personnel Today

Browse more human resources jobs

Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor at OHW+ and part of the Personnel Today editorial team. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport.

previous post
BBC plans to move more jobs out of London
next post
Ethnic minorities more likely to be overlooked for jobs and pay rises

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

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

You may also like

Police Scotland pays out £948,000 to female officer...

16 May 2022

Crumbling school buildings ‘risk to life’ suggests leak

16 May 2022

Gender equality facing growing backlash from male managers

16 May 2022

Lack of flexibility pushes half of women to...

16 May 2022

How firms need to comply with sponsor licence...

16 May 2022

easyJet joins battle for cabin crew with £1,000...

16 May 2022

Ethnicity pay gaps: Not making reporting mandatory is...

16 May 2022

MP demands timeline on carer’s leave legislation

13 May 2022

Employment tribunal: use of word ‘bald’ can amount...

13 May 2022

‘Gulf War Syndrome’ caused by release of nerve...

13 May 2022
  • What it really means to be mentally fit PROMOTED | What is mental fitness...Read more
  • How music can help to ease anxiety at work PROMOTED | A lot has happened since March 2020, hasn’t it?...Read more
  • Why now is the time to plug the unhealthy gap PROMOTED | We’ve all heard the term ‘health is wealth’...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 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 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
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today