Businesses seek clarity over return to work

Businesses in the UK have given a cautious welcome to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "roadmap" to get Britain back to work after a two-month, virtual shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

David Sapsted

11 May 2020

However, business organisations said they needed more clarity in a number of areas to enable them to return their operations to something approaching normal.In his address to the nation on Sunday evening, Mr Johnson said that, in England, people should to work this week in the manufacturing and construction industries, and in other sectors if they were unable to do their jobs from home. The only caveat was that people should only return to employment if they were able to keep a safe distance from others (ie, two metres), to avoid a possible spread of the virus.Stephen Phipson, chief executive of the manufacturers' organisation Make UK, said he "cautiously welcomed" the government encouragement of a return to work."However," he added, "it is critical that there is clear advice on how to do that, and an understanding that firms will be helped to comply as we navigate uncharted waters, and not punished for inadvertent errors. In many parts of manufacturing people will need to work much more closely than two metres apart."It is vital that the guidance is explicit about how this may be achieved safely. Where this requires PPE (personal protective equipment), employers across the country are seeking clear advice on what products are needed, what standard they should be produced to, and confidence that they can be sourced in ways which does not reduce supply to the NHS, care homes and front line workers."Mr Phipson added that major sectors such as automotive and aerospace would struggle to return to normal levels of production while retail outlets remained closed and airlines stayed grounded.Jonathan Geldart, director-general of the Institute of Directors, said that as people began returning to work, it was vital that government guidance was clear to enable companies to plan how to make the resumption of operations safe."As people with ultimate legal responsibility, directors need to have confidence that it’s safe, and that if they act responsibly they won’t be at undue risk. Businesses should consult with their people to put in place robust policies, which in many cases might not be an overnight process," Mr Geldart said.“For a large number of firms, operating under social distancing rules will mean significantly reduced activity, so the government’s support measures must match continuing restrictions."Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said companies would do everything possible to protect employees and customers as the return to work gathered pace.“Businesses will need to see detailed plans for the phased easing of restrictions, coordinated with all nations across the UK and supported by clear guidance," he said."It is imperative that companies have detailed advice on what will need to change in the workplace, including clarity on the use of PPE.“Firms will also need to know that government support schemes, which have helped save millions of jobs in recent weeks, will continue for as long as they are needed so that they can plan ahead with confidence."Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said Mr Johnson's statement marked "the first glimmer of light for our faltering economy" as a phased return to work was the only way to protect jobs and pay for future public services.She added: “Businesses are keen to open and get our economy back on its feet. But they also know putting health first is the only sustainable route to economic recovery. The message of continued vigilance is right. “This announcement marks the start of a long process. While stopping work was necessarily fast and immediate, restarting will be slower and more complex. It must go hand-in-hand with plans for schools, transport, testing and access to PPE. Firms will want to see a roadmap, with dates they can plan for.“Success will rest on flexibility within a framework: clear guidance which firms can adapt for their particular circumstances. Financial support will also need to evolve for sectors moving at different speeds – some remaining in hibernation, while others get ready to open safely.“The coming weeks should see business, government and employee representatives working together as part of a national effort built on openness and trust. This is the only way to revive the UK economy and protect both lives and livelihoods.”