Return to work | Is HR responsible for commuter safety?

Last month, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced at a daily press briefing that any people who aren’t able to work from home should return to work.

In his address to the nation, Johnson said that those returning to work, including people in construction, manufacturing and other industries, should avoid public transport where possible to help maintain social distancing, according to the Independent.

In addition to this, the UK Government released ‘COVID-secure’ guidelines detailing strategies to help employers facilitate a safe return to work and operate safe corporate environments.

The publicly available document outlined how employers can enforce social distancing measures – including spacing out workers across desks, closing office kitchens and canteens, limiting access to social areas and disinfecting high-traffic spaces and objects as much as possible.