Pandemic casts a long shadow

By Ged Henderson

29 Jul 2022

closed-due-to-covid.jpeg

The pandemic may no longer making big headlines and the daily Downing Street briefings are fading into memory, but Covid-19 is still having an impact on the world of work.

The post-lockdown landscape is throwing up a host of new challenges for Lancashire’s employers, from vaccination policies to hybrid working.

A new study commissioned by workplace experts Acas has revealed that more than one in five North West employers plan to implement a ‘no-jab, no-job’ policy for both existing staff and new recruits in the year ahead.

Terry Duffy, Acas North West area director, urges caution. There is currently no law that says employees must have the vaccine. The government removed the previous requirements for care home, health and social care staff in March.

Terry says: “This is a very tricky area of employment law and it’s a good idea for employers to get legal advice if they are thinking of bringing in a vaccine policy.

“Our advice is that it is always best to support staff to get the vaccine rather than insisting that they get it.”

Acas also advises that if an employer feels it is important for staff to be vaccinated, they should talk with staff or the organisation’s recognised trade union if they have one.

It says those conversations with staff can help to agree an appropriate vaccine policy, support workers in protecting their health, keep good working relationships and avoid future disputes.

The body also highlights some practical ways that employers could support staff, such as paying them their usual rate of pay if they are off sick with vaccine side effects instead of statutory sick pay. Employers could also consider offering staff paid time off for vaccination appointments.

Terry adds: “If someone does not want to be vaccinated, then the employer should listen to their concerns. Some people may have health reasons such an allergic reaction to the vaccine and some employees may have other reasons for not wanting to be vaccinated. 

"Employers should be sensitive towards personal situations and must be careful to avoid discrimination.”

Hybrid working, a flexible approach that allows employees to split their time between working in the office and working from home, has also become an emerging post-pandemic trend.

According to the Office for National Statistics 30 per cent of the UK workforce is working remotely at least once a week so far in 2022, with 85 per cent of workers wanting to use a hybrid approach in future.

However, legal experts say there are pitfalls to avoid. Victoria Mitchell, head of employment at Lancashire-based Farleys Solicitors, says: “The UK’s staffing crisis is leading some businesses to switch to a hybrid working model in order to attract talent.

“But business owners need to be wary that in offering such flexibility to new recruits, they are not discriminating against loyal employees. A hybrid working policy should be offered to all, where possible, regardless of length of service or personal circumstances.”

Jane Parry, managing partner at Lancashireheadquartered accountants and business advisors PM+M, believes flexible working is “here to stay” but she adds: “It can be difficult trying to be fair and flexible with individuals while meeting the demands of the team and clients.

“There has to be that balance, people need to understand that their individual needs are part of a bigger picture.”

Stuart Wright, consultant at Burnley-based Cube HR, says on top of home and hybrid working, the possibility of a four-day week is also now looming large.

He points to a major feasibility study that is currently been carried out involving thousands of employees in a cross section of sectors in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The trial will last for six months, and staff will still be paid 100 per cent of their salary for working 80 per cent of the time, with the expectation that they are able to deliver the same level of productivity in the reduced timeframe.

Stuart says: “Many observers will be watching this trial with great interest as its success or failure could lead to a fundamental shift in how businesses operate.

“From an HR perspective there would be many considerations around a four-day week with issues such as consultation and contractual changes, fair and consistent allocation of rotas and which days people have off, in addition to wellbeing and the risk of burnout if people try to cram five days of work into four days.

“Despite what some people might think, it wouldn’t just be as simple as businesses closing on a Friday and everyone having an extra day added to their weekend.”

He adds: “Ultimately, there are many factors that a business needs to take account of before deciding if and how they want to offer long-term working from home, hybrid working or even the four-day week to staff. There isn’t going to be a clear one size fits all approach.

“What is certain though is that the way people think about their working environment and when they work has changed forever and many employees are now looking for what has been called a ‘framework of flexibility’ when they are applying for a new role and employers who are unable or unwilling to offer that may end up missing out on talent.”

Staff health and wellbeing is also moving up the agenda in the wake of the pandemic. It has become a major factor in recruitment and retention and several Lancashire businesses are leading the way in responding.

Law firm Harrison Drury has partnered with a specialist company to offer free health checks to all staff as part of its employee wellbeing strategy.

The onsite assessments – which include checks on blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate and hydration levels – are the latest initiatives brought in by the firm to promote a culture of health and wellbeing.

The firm has also created a team of trained mental health first aiders to help champion an open and supportive culture around mental health within the company. And it has made a commitment to embrace hybrid working to help support team members to balance their work and home lives.

Another Lancashire law firm, Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has rolled out a new mental health support programme to its team of solicitors and support staff.

That support includes access to 24-hour helplines for its 105-strong team in emergency situations, as well as private face-to-face counselling sessions to enable ongoing issues to be dealt with.

Michael Shroot, WHN chief executive, says: “Our team is at the heart of what we do here, so driving investment in their wellbeing and happiness is incredibly important to us.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

2

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

3

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

4

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth Peter Heskine

Warden appoints new commercial manager to strengthen project delivery and growth

16 Oct 2025

5

Stockley's finds its sweet spot Stockley's front view

Stockley's finds its sweet spot

15 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin