Less than a tenth of companies say they do not know how to handle an employee if they are diagnosed with COVID-19.
This is according to CV-Library, which found that 9 per cent of businesses do not know what to do if an employee contracts COVID-19, where as 11 per cent do not know what their company’s policy is around long-term sick leave.
More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of employers think that the virus will have a negative impact on their business, as well as 55 per cent worrying that its spreading throughout their workplace.
The majority of companies (92 per cent) are implementing ways to reduce the spread of the virus, with 73 per cent allowing remote working, 54 per cent reducing business travel and 39 per cent cancelling events.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library said:
We already know that the outbreak of Covid-19 will have a profound effect on UK businesses; no matter how big or small they are. In particular, consumer-facing industries such as aviation, hospitality and retail are already suffering as travel restrictions set in and the nation grows more cautious of social events. While many organisations are taking measures to prevent its impact, the sad truth is that the worst is still yet to come and we’re currently hanging on the government’s every word until we know what to do next.
At the same time, a lot of businesses have put their hiring plans on hold until there’s more clarity in the market. With global stock markets plummeting, companies are nervous about investing in their recruitment plans and this is having a knock-on effect on the industry as a whole. For now, all we can do is sit tight and do what us Brits do best: keep calm and carry on.
While the government is likely to advise home working for all employees in the near future, some companies have taken matters into their own hands and already introduced it to help reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading in the workplace. But we must take into account the huge percentage of the workforce who aren’t able to work from home. Unfortunately, businesses will lose customers, workers will lose their jobs and the UK economy will suffer. For that reason, we’re calling on the British government for more clarity and advice surrounding Covid-19.
To obtain these results, CV-Library surveyed 250 UK businesses.
Darius is the editor of HRreview. He has previously worked as a finance reporter for the Daily Express. He studied his journalism masters at Press Association Training and graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.
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