April 2020

mitigate the risks associated with Coronavirus, through thorough handwashing and disposing of tissues appropriately. Within your garage, it may be wise to designate an ‘isolation room’ where sick employees can retire to before calling 111 for further advice. Other steps to take include: Ensure that the contact numbers and emergency contact details of all members of staff are up to date Ensure that managers are aware of the symptoms of the virus and how to spot them T he spread of Coronavirus (officially Covid-19) continues to raise serious health concerns around the world, but its impact on global stock markets has also become an issue for businesses. The Government recently announced that workers who self-isolate will receive statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, encouraging those exhibiting symptoms to stay at home to prevent spreading the virus. While the number of cases in the 54 AFTERMARKET APRIL 2020 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net CORONAVIRUS: PROTECTING YOUR WORKFORCE Garages are not immune from the impact of the Coronavirus, so businesses need to look to protect their staff UK is relatively low compared to other parts of the world, it’s important that garage workshop owners and employees take steps to protect the rest of their workforce. Reducing the risks It goes without saying, that the best course of action for employers to take at this stage is to note the advice given by official bodies and share it throughout the workforce. Whether it’s via emails or team meetings, it’s crucial that this guidance is shared effectively, allowing workers to BY Tina Chander, Partner and Head of the Employment team, Wright Hassall