08/09/2020

Updates and guidance from Acas

Please see the following information from ACAS.

The Acas top 5 topics in free online advice

1. Working from home
Employers and employees should be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other's situation when working from home because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. https://www.acas.org.uk/working-from-home

2. Returning to the workplace
Planning the return, including making the workplace safe, includes consultation with staff and making them aware of expectations. https://www.acas.org.uk/working-safely-coronavirus/returning-to-the-workplace

3. Employment contracts
Including what should be in an employment contract, changing contract, zero-hours contracts, and employment statuses and rights. https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-contracts

4. Redundancy
Get help managing redundancies in your organisation. Find out what your rights are if you're being made redundant. https://www.acas.org.uk/redundancy

5. Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and work
Latest advice for employers and employees. https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

*New Training Event* 

Back to work - managing employee attendance
As many businesses start to bring their employees back into the workplace, its understandable that some employees may feel apprehensive about their return.

This 3-hour digital event uses an interactive storyboard approach, taking you on the fictional journey of Packaging Solutions Ltd.’s return to the workplace after the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Focusing on the most common COVID-19 related attendance concerns, it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to allow you to confidently bring your employees back into the workplace.

3 process maps available to download

Varying an employment contract  |  Redundancy  |  Return to the workplace
You can also view related advice on our website:

Manage staff redundancies
Changing an employment contract
Returning to the workplace
Flexible furlough and ending furlough
Shielding and vulnerable people

Help us develop Acas advice
Can you help us improve our free downloads and guidance? We need volunteers to provide feedback and help make sure our materials are easy to use and understand. If you can spare 45 minutes to help us please fill in this form and one of our researchers will be in touch.

Updates to the Job Retention Scheme 
From September 1, the government grant towards the employee wages will be reduced to 70%. From October 1, the government grant will be reduced again to 60%. View further details, including updates, making claims and employer contribution requirements on the gov.uk website

Facebook live recording 
Acas advisers recently joined the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society to talk about people’s rights as they return to work from lockdown, shielding and self-isolating. View recording here

Acas helpline online
The Acas helpline system is an automated system designed to give you a straightforward answer to your employment relations questions, it also gives links to further advice and guidance on our website.
Access Acas helpline online

New digital training sessions available:

Back to work: Managing employee attendance
Focusing on the most frequent COVID-19 related attendance concerns, this training session will provide you with the skills and knowledge to allow you to confidently bring your employees back into the workplace. View dates available

How to manage homeworkers
This event will help you understand the relevant law and provide you with good practice guidance on managing employees remotely. We will discuss the benefits of homeworking and how to address the challenges it can present. We will also consider the impact on your employee’s mental health and wellbeing. View dates available

Changing terms and conditions of employment
This event will help you understand the legal and practical aspects of changing terms and conditions of employment. It will outline the risks and benefits of the options available to you, allowing you to confidently make decisions and minimise any unintended consequences. View dates available

Mock employment tribunal Sep 09 2020
This informative and myth-busting virtual event will give you the opportunity, within a safe environment, to see how an employment tribunal works and how decisions are reached. Register your place

Mock mediation Sep 29 2020
This interactive digital event will give the opportunity to see how mediation works and the positive outcomes an effective mediation process can achieve. Register your place

View more details about Acas digital training

Free webinar:  Mental health at work – current challenges

In these unprecedented times, it is essential that employers consider how they can support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.

Managers will need to adapt their approach to support staff who may be working from home or to respond to those who are still coming into the workplace.

This webinar is designed to provide line managers with information to help support their own and their team’s mental wellbeing during this current climate.

View further details or register your place:

Thursday September 24, 13:30-14:30

Please feel free to forward an invitation to these events to anyone else in your organisation who may benefit from attending.

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