The monkeypox virus may have emerged in the UK, however experts have said it is “not another Covid” but have urged employers to follow official guidance.
It is being referred to as a ‘rare disease’ but infected people must self-isolate for 21 days, and should avoid the workplace.
What is the advice for businesses?
· Employees should work from home where possible.
· SSP can be paid if the employee is too ill to attend the workplace.
What is the advice for businesses?
· Employees should work from home where possible.
· SSP can be paid if the employee is too ill to attend the workplace.
· In a similar way to the Covid isolation position, employers will have to decide whether they will require close contacts with a confirmed case to not come to work for the 21 days or whether they will still require them to come in.
· If you ask employees to stay away and they aren’t able to work from home, employees should be paid as failing to provide full pay could lead to claims of unlawful deduction from wages, as it is the employer refusing to allow the employee to work.
· Best practice is to support workers required to self-isolate or quarantine, including covering the cost of quarantine, if practicable, so that workers do not come to a workplace when they should not because of concerns about pay.
If you have any questions about this, please contact us!