Helping Hand for Employers in Combating Coronavirus

Coronavirus has taken centre stage in today’s budget and rightly so. It has also not gone unnoticed that the current outbreak will have a big impact on employers and SMEs, in particular, which is why the government has confirmed that:

  • for businesses with fewer than 250 employees, statutory sick pay (SSP) for up to 14 days will be refunded by the government.

SSP is normally at the cost of the employer so it will be a great comfort for small and medium sized employers to know that payment of SSP for the 14 day isolation period can be reclaimed. This is particularly relevant given that SSP must also now be applied to all staff who are told to self-isolate, even where they do not have any symptoms.

We are currently advising our clients on numerous daily queries about Coronavirus including questions around what steps should be taken in the workplace, whether employees can still be required to travel abroad on work, what an employer should do if staff are unwell or are returning from a potentially affected area or are stuck in lockdown abroad.

We are keeping up to date on the current situation (which changes daily) so that you don’t have to. All of your queries on coronavirus will be answered by us and are included as standard through Myerson HR (our fixed monthly fee retainer). If you would like to know more about this or would like a quote for Myerson HR, please contact our Employment team on 0161 941 4000 or via email

Charlotte Gilbert - Head of Myerson HR (Employment Department), Myerson

2020 Budget - Charlotte Gilbert