CORONOVIRUS UPDATE 1230pm 21 March 2020

The Government announced further measures on 20 March aimed at supporting employers hit by stringent social distancing rules. Measures available now include a job retention scheme, SSP refunds for SMEs and alternative procedures for employees to certify sickness.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme All UK employers are eligible to claim financial support for the salaries of employees who would otherwise have been laid off as a result of the coronavirus crisis. 

To claim, employers must:

• Designate affected employees as 'furloughed employees'

Notify their employees of this intention – if no contractual entitlement to lay off exists, consent will be needed

• Submit details of furloughed employees and their earnings via a new HMRC online portal HMRC will reimburse up to 80% of wages of furloughed employees, to a maximum of £2,500 per month.  The support will be available for three months initially, backdated to 1 March 2020.  Full details are awaited. The announcement has come as a huge relief to employers, especially those in the hard-hit hospitality and events sectors.  Care does need to be taken over how the lay off or furlough process is carried out and we recommend employers seek early advice. SSP relief package SMEs can reclaim up to 14 days of SSP paid to staff who have been unable to work because of coronavirus.

 The support is available to employers:

Coronavirus – Government support measures for employers

• With under 250 staff as at 28 February 2020

• whose employees have claimed SSP because of absence due to coronavirus – i.e. who have symptoms or who have been required to self-isolate in accordance with NHS or government public health guidance. 

Employees unable to work because of coronavirus – i.e. who have symptoms or who are required to self-isolate on medical advice – are entitled to SSP from the first day of absence and do not have to serve three 'waiting days'. On 19 March the government introduced an alternative certification process for employees who have been absent for over 7 days – the online isolation note.  This can be emailed direct to the employer.  Employers should retain full records of staff absence and payments of SSP, including the online isolation notes, to use in the refund process.  GP fit notes will not be required. The process for seeking repayment is not yet finalised.

 Key workers

We have been in dialog with the Scottish Government through the Food and Drink Federation Scotland to ensure that the people who work in the meat industry are included on the list of key workers in the event of a lockdown situation.

The relevant definition is below: –

Food and other necessary goods

Food chain workers, including those involved in production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of goods

KEY WORKERS UPDATE.23-03-2020

Fast-moving situation, but on designating those working on food supply in Scotland as “key”, here's where things are this am:
1.  Inverclyde – Need to apply not clear who is included
2.  Renfrewshire – Not Declared
3.  West Dunbartonshire – awaiting advice
4.  East Dunbartonshire – awaiting advice
5.  Glasgow – awaiting advice
6.  East Renfrewshire – council contacting direct
7.  North Lanarkshire – Declared
8.  Falkirk – unclear who is included
9.  West Lothian – awaiting
10.Edinburgh – apply to council
11.Midlothian – not declared
12.East Lothian – not declared
13.Clackmannanshire – not declared
14.Fife – declared
15.Dundee awaiting
16.Angus – Declared
17.Aberdeenshire – not declared
18.Aberdeen – not declared
19.Moray – awaiting
20.Highland – awaiting
21.Na h-Eileanan Siar -Declared
22.Argyll and Bute – awaiting
23.Perth and Kinross – not declared
24.Stirling – declared
25.North Ayrshire – not declared
26.East Ayrshire – declared
27.South Ayrshire – not declared
28.Dumfries and Galloway – not declared
29.South Lanarkshire – not declared
30.Scottish Borders not declared
31.Orkney – declared
32.Shetland – declared 

 The Scottish Government has stated that childcare places are limited and that places can only be allocated to key workers in categories 1 and 2 first. Food Industry workers are in category 3.   Social Distancing Our members shops are now enforcing social distancing on their premises, for the safety of customers and staff.Many are now changing their opening hours. Either opening later or closing earlier, or both. Many find closing in the middle of the day to allow staff to get a break and to give the business a bit of time to restock a welcome relief. Many are also marking the floor with tape to help ensure the social distancing. (see below) Also place clear notices of guidance for the customers.