With some parts of the UK in local lockdown and others on the brink of being subjected to stricter restrictions once more, businesses are trying to balance the wishes of some to return to work with the understandable reticence of many to completely reopen workplaces; preferring instead to offer employees the opportunity to choose to continue to work from home for the foreseeable future if they would prefer to do so.

The prospect of a return to normality looks unlikely with medical opinion suggesting that any kind of immunity gained will be of short life expectancy and that it will take two years for the virus to be eradicated In a situation where things are changing on an almost daily basis; how ready is your business  for the future or even  a second lockdown?

• Firms have achieved so much in such a short space of time and now is the right time to ensure we are building businesses that are right for 2021 and beyond. Legal Eye has been collating data from working with many firms during this period and has come up with check lists and suggestions that give confidence to owners, regulators and accreditation auditors that they are doing all they can to protect their clients. Some suggestions to consider are: Review your experiences of the last lockdown and Continuity plans – what worked well, what not so well?  What needs fixing?  Are contact details still up to date document what you have found, both good and bad and plan how you might change.
• If an announcement is made of a local lockdown overnight do you have a plan? If not consider how it worked last time and consult internally to collate views.
• How are you safeguarding a track and trace episode in your office – e.g. skeleton staff, rotating teams, specific workstations and remote working?
• If you did suffer staff going into self-isolation, what would that mean for the business and contingency plans e.g. another Plan B?
• Do you know who is going on holiday shortly and where they are going to?  Should you know to aid your planning?
• How do your staff and management feel – the last few months have been challenging and some have been working extra hours to maintain operations.  Is everyone scheduling some holiday time – its important even if restricted on destinations that people have time to relax and recharge.
• Are your current Social Distancing measures working in the office as intended and enforced, particularly if open to the public?  Regular handwashing, sanitiser, stocks of PPE to last through another outbreak, staff reminded to exercise care even in their social activities outside work.
• What is your current and projected financial position as the Job Retention Scheme starts to wind down and contributions from your business (from 1 August onwards) start to kick in?  Have you taken advantage of the financial support available and is it going to be enough?
• What do you need to do to maintain the resumption of work instructions you might be seeing now, particularly if we go into further lockdowns?  Are you keeping close to clients and introducers?
• What do you need to do if you aren’t seeing a resumption in work instructions?  Is you marketing effective and do your contacts know you are open for business?
• Where are you up to with your PII renewal and accreditation renewals?

Legal Eye is helping clients navigate these strange waters and assisting with tackling some of these key questions. Contact [email protected] for a no obligation discussion about how we may be able to help.