The Financial Times recently published an article examining how employers could face legal action, should they inadequately protect their employees from COVID-19 when lockdown eases. They report that companies could face employment cases ranging from constructive dismissal to negligence if they do not stick to guidance or if workers feel unsafe.
Employment Partner Joanna Blackburn said, “If employees can say they’re being compelled to work in an environment that’s considered unsafe and doesn’t meet the [standards of] the new normal you could see employees treating themselves as discharged. The ramifications can be very wide.”
“If an employer has been negligent in their approach towards employee health and safety then yes there can be liability but . . . it is a complex issue of causation.”
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