In light of the latest announcement from the Prime Minister, leading trade associations have responded;
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, commented:
“With home working likely to be the default for many for another six months, employers must recognise that isolation and anxiety could become an issue for some of their workers. To counter this, they should ensure managers are regularly checking in with their teams, are asking about their wellbeing and signposting to support services where necessary.
“It is also inevitable that these measures will further restrict business activity, particularly in sectors such as leisure, hospitality and transport. This is why there is a very strong case for the Government to consider extending the furlough scheme – but with a focus on supporting the hardest hit sectors.”
Samantha Hurley, Operations Director at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) commented:
“This year has certainly been tough for everyone and for staffing companies that have been hard hit during the original lockdown restrictions, this latest announcement will undoubtedly be of some concern. Our members were beginning to see green shoots of business activity over the last month as some normality resumed once again, with many returning to the office in some form. This move to remote working without a clear outline of support from the Government for already struggling companies will likely impact business confidence in an already difficult economy.”
“Unfortunately, this uncertainty looks set to remain for the immediate future at least as the Government tackles the spread of the virus. APSCo will continue to support its members with resources, guidance and updates as further developments emerge over the next few months.”
