Articles by ‘James Sage’

A poll by social care experts RWK Goodman reports that almost three quarters (73%) of social care providers would like to make a Covid vaccination a condition of employment for new members of staff. That condition would include exceptions for those who can’t have the vaccine on medical or other protected grounds.

RWK Goodman’s Health & Social Care team are pleased to invite you to our webinar providing a practical update and guidance on how to tackle the current HR and employment law challenges in the care sector.

2020 has been one of the most traumatic years for the social care sector in living memory. Whilst its impact will be long felt, care providers will be looking for clarity, security and a return to normality in 2021.

It feels like a long time since March. During the first wave, care services were put under unprecedented pressures. Now that the second wave is upon us, our Health & Social Care team is providing an update on the state of play in key areas.

The Government has announced a new national lockdown for England from 5 November to 2 December which has led to significant changes to the employment support schemes available to employers.

The Government has announced a new national lockdown for England from 5 November to 2 December which has led to significant changes to the employment support schemes available to employers.

The Migration Advisory Committee has today recommended that care managers and proprietors, senior care workers and nursing assistants be added to the Shortage Occupation List. It is a move that will be welcomed by a sector facing significant staffing shortages over the next decade.

A flurry of recent court rulings on compliance with the National Minimum Wage (“NMW”) highlight the complexity of this area of law and the need for care providers to check their pay arrangements are compliant.

A recent study by the Daily Express indicated that there has been a significant increase (66%) in complaints made by care staff to CQC during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the majority of concerns raised relating to infection control, social distancing and a lack of PPE.

From 1 August, the Government “paused” shielding for the clinically extremely vulnerable. Shielding employees can return to work if their workplace is “Covid-secure” but should work from home wherever possible.

With approximately 8.4m jobs furloughed, roughly ¼ of the total jobs in the UK, and 1m employers furloughing, costing the Government £15bn, it was inevitable that some changes would have to be made to the furlough scheme. However, the announcements are less draconian than many had feared.

The pandemic has given rise to a range of issues that could give staff concerns about their health and safety at work, including PPE shortages, lack of testing, outbreaks amongst staff and clients, and the increased risk they face due to underlying health conditions, age or pregnancy if infected.

It is critical that you are able to identify and deal appropriately with any health and safety concerns to minimise the risk of potential Employment Tribunal claims.