We all know what happened in 2020, but what did we learn?
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that no institution or individual alone can address the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges of our complex, interdependent world. The pandemic has accelerated systemic changes that were apparent before its inception. The fault lines that emerged in 2020 now appear as critical crossroads in 2021. The time to rebuild trust and to make crucial choices is fast approaching as the need to reset priorities and the urgency to reform systems grow stronger around the world. (World Economic Forum)
it is the time of the year when we look back and reminisce on the good and not so good that happened in 2020 is no different, however, we had absolutely no idea what this year would bring. We can focus purely on the negative, but we will let the national press deal with that element.
What did we learn?
New terminology entered our every day vocabulary - Pandemic, Furlough, Unprecedented, Working From Home, Self-Isolation, Social-Distancing, R-Number, Lockdown, Flattening the Curve, Zoom, Coronavirus along with Covid-19. Our conversations were regularly peppered with these references as we came to grips with the impact and subsequent consequences of the virus.
Guidance for Employees and Employers on Self-Isolating after returning to the UK
People returning to the UK must self-isolate for 14 days unless they’re travelling from a country with a quarantine exemption.
Find out how to self-isolate when travelling to the UK.
A person’s employment rights will depend on their employment status and specific circumstances. A court or employment tribunal will make the final decision on employment status and whether an employer has acted within the law or not.
Working from home
Where possible people should work from home during their self-isolation period. Employees should talk to their employer about working from home before they travel.
Taking annual leave
Employees can agree with their employer to take leave to cover the period of their self-isolation, providing they have enough leave remaining.
Employers can also tell employees to take leave as long as they give them enough notice. Find out about notice periods.
Thoughts on Being Isolated
As the impact of the Coronavirus unfolds, the prospect of a town or city or the whole country being shutdown is a real possibility. Everyday news of more deaths are published and stories of how Covid 19 is leaving it’s stamp on communities across the World come to light.