Trade body issues garages with coronavirus guidance

IGA shares guidance on how to deal workplace issues amid UK's Covid-19 outbreak

Trade body issues garages with coronavirus guidance
Image: Bigstock.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has issued its members with Covid-19 coronavirus workplace guidance.

It comes as the government warns that up to a fifth of the UK’s workforce may be off sick during the peak of a coronavirus epidemic.

Daily updates about the Covid-19 coronavirus can be found on the official government website.

The IGA has advised members to inform employees on best-practice and encourage them to extra-vigilant with hand washing, using and disposing of tissues.

Employee self quarantine

Unless an employee is ill and can provide a statutory sick note to cover the absence period, or any absence is agreed, employees have a legal duty to make themselves available for work.

An IGA spokesperson said: “If employees are worried about catching coronavirus and therefore unwilling to come into work you should listen carefully to the concerns of your employees and consider whether adjustments can be made to deal with any concerns.

“If an employee refuses to attend work, you are entitled to take disciplinary action.

“However, given the nature of the issue currently, dismissal is likely to be outside the range of reasonable responses, at least for now.

“If the matter cannot be resolved amicably and employees continue to refuse to come into work seek further advice.”

If an employee is put into quarantine on medical orders then it should be dealt with as any other period of sickness.

“Whilst employees can self-certify for a period of seven days, we would advise that you obtain further details from the employee and consider requesting a statutory sick note or medical report from the doctor,” the spokesperson added.

Sick pay

There is no legal right to sick pay in these circumstances, but the IGA suggests that it would be good practice.

Without sick pay, employers “run the risk of them coming into work and potentially spreading the virus”, the IGA has said.

There is also a risk of an argument that by choosing not to pay someone who has self-isolated, employers may breach the implied term of trust and confidence and constructively dismiss them.

Whilst this is unlikely where employees do raise such concerns seek further advice.

“The situation is very fluid”

An IGA spokesperson said: “It’s important to note that the situation is very fluid and government guidance is changing daily.

“Whilst the Corvid-19 coronavirus is new and therefore represents an unknown.

“The UK population regularly deals with the cold and flu virus at this time of year; both of which can cause symptoms similar to Covid-19.

“Don’t forget, this advice is general in nature and will need to be tailored to any one particular situation.”

For further information about the IGA, select ‘more details’ below.

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