{"id":1792,"date":"2020-02-28T17:13:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-28T17:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrteam.ie\/?p=1792"},"modified":"2022-09-30T11:11:43","modified_gmt":"2022-09-30T10:11:43","slug":"how-to-minimise-coronavirus-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrteamservices.com\/en\/how-to-minimise-coronavirus-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish employers should plan now to minimise Coronavirus risk"},"content":{"rendered":"

A leading employment law advice specialist is urging employers to take steps to minimise staffing issues related to the increased coronavirus threat in Ireland.<\/p>\n

Employers are already feeling the impact on international business travel and staff absence, following Northern Ireland\u2019s first diagnosis of a case\u00a0of Covid-19 in a person who entered the island from Italy via Dublin airport.<\/p>\n

HR Team Director, Breda Cullen, says her employment law advice firm has experienced a surge in the\u00a0number of employers seeking advice on the matter.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cThe coronavirus outbreak has sparked a wave of concern around what rights employees have regarding sick leave and how employers should handle a situation should a staff member become infected.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality is that if the virus\u00a0spreads in Ireland, it could pose a significant threat to operations within organisations.<\/p>\n

“Employers have been contacting us in increasing numbers in recent days to seek advice on how to best manage the situation to ensure their organisations and their people are safeguarded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important at this time that employers have a robust contingency plan in place \u2013 one that is in line with employment legislation and is communicated clearly to all employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a first step, it’s advised that the legality of all precautions and policies put in place by employers is revised to ensure they are protected.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmployers are further advised to consider a number of factors including business travel, the use of annual leave and even the potential closure of the workplace or organisation. It is important that they ensure clarity around how each factor will be managed.”<\/p>\n

Factors to be considered include the following:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n