Your questions answered on employees’ pay
OWNER-MANAGERS of businesses have been left with many questions during the coronavirus pandemic as the Government comes up with a raft of measures to help keep the wheels of UK PLC turning.
The status of employees and the payment of wages has been a major topic of concern. For KBN, employment law expert Hannah Strawbridge offers some answers to the questions her clients have been asking.
If an employee doesn’t have a confirmed diagnosis, but is too unwell to work and is self-isolating, I advise to pay sick pay in the normal way. employee is pregnant or has asthma, they are still entitled to SSP, however probably not contractual sick pay, depending on the terms of your policy and contracts.
In this scenario you would need to pay the employee their normal pay (not sick pay) as they are following your instructions.
This may apply even where an employee is classed as vulnerable but for other reasons refuses to stay at home, depending on the circumstances.
Aim to agree the employee can work from home if possible, or agree to a period of paid or unpaid leave.
Due to the government’s recent announcements, you should be directing employees to work from home wherever possible, and employees should receive their normal pay in this case, even where they are having to juggle work with childcare responsibilities.
If you decide that you need to lay off some or all of your staff, and your contracts of employment do not include a lay off clause, as furloughed staff under the government’s employee assistance programme, they must not carry out any work for you whatsoever.
They will, however be able to carry out volunteering work for the NHS, if they decide to do so.
You must pay the employees either their full wages, or you may decide to pay them only 80% of their salary, as this is the maximum amount (capped to £2,500 per month) you will be reimbursed from HMRC.
There is a process you must follow in relation to furloughing staff, including writing to them confirming what your intentions are and seeking agreement from them in relation to any reductions in pay.
■■Hannah Strawbridge, of Halifax-based Little Pig 3, can be contacted on 07957 608212 or hannah@ littlepig3.com
FOOD manufacturer in Kirklees is urging jobseekers to come forward to help it feed the nation during the coronavirus crisis.
2 Sisters Food Group, parent company of Batley-based Fox’s Biscuits, says it has a number of temporary and permanent roles available that are crucial for keeping its operation going.
The firm, which also produces chicken, ready meals, and bakery goods, claims 75% of the UK population eat one of its products every day, leaving it struggling among unprecedented demand brought on by the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.
Chief executive Ronald Kers said the firm faced the doublydifficult challenge of demand for food from the UK public at levels never seen before, coupled with a crisis which dictates higher than usual rates of staff absenteeism for longer periods due to the need for self-isolation.
To try and meet the demand the company has launched its first-ever nationwide recruitment campaign due to the level of vacancies across all its businesses, including at Fox’s in Batley.
Mr Kers said: “2 Sisters’ job is literally to feed the nation. Getting food to people has never been so important. As we come together as a country to fight the coronavirus, we need everybody’s help to keep our factories running.
“We urgently need people so we can keep delivering a full range of products to supermarkets across the country. We are recruiting now for a wide range of factory and logistics jobs up and down the country. Please join us and help feed the nation.”
A spokesman for Fox’s Biscuits added: “We have various roles ranging from packing, dispatch, preparation and there are various shift patterns to fit around people’s lifestyles. We can interview applicants immediately and hopefully we can accommodate as many people as possible. We will do all we can to help.”
To apply for a job and view Ronald’s video message, visit http://www.2sfg.com/careers/ feed-the-nation/
Last week all UK food sector workers were designated ‘key worker’ status by government, which meant if they were fit and well they could work as normal.