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Can employees insist on working from home?

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The latest government guidance is that employees should work from home where possible. As responsible employers, to help reduce the spread of the virus, protect your employees and business, you should follow this guidance where possible.

However, some businesses cannot operate without staff being present and currently there is no automatic right to work from home.

Unless an employee is following government guidance to self-isolate, for example part of the vulnerable group identified by the government and pregnant, over 70, or has an underlying health condition identified, then you can request employees still come in to work.

If an employee who is not part of that vulnerable group refuses to come in to work then listen to the reasons for their request and if appropriate consider holiday pay or unpaid leave. If a suitable alternative cannot be agreed, you may consider disciplinary action.