BUSINESSES and organisations in Warwickshire are being asked to support their ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ employees.
People identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) have been advised to avoid contact with others as much as possible following Warwickshire moving into the new Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions.
This means they are strongly advised to work from home and, if not possible, they should not attend work.
Warwickshire County Council is asking Warwickshire businesses and organisations who have CEV employees to make arrangements for them to work at home.
If employees cannot work from home, employers are being asked to consider whether their CEV employees will be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough), which has been extended until April 30.
Employees may also be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), to support them to stay at home and follow the guidance.
Employees who are identified as being CEV will receive a letter which advises them to shield, which can also act as evidence for their eligibility for SSP or ESA.
Employers should be aware that some may not receive their letter until this week but, in the meantime, they are being asked to support their CEV employees to stay at home.
Warwickshire County Council’s adult health and social care spokesman Coun Les Caborn said: “These measures are really hard for individuals, employers and whole communities but they are necessary to keep people as safe as possible.
“We must do all we can to help people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and at very high risk of severe illness from Covid-19 to follow government advice: to stay at home as much as possible and access the support they need to do so.”
Employers can visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/coronavirusbacktoworkguidance for more information.
