Employee safety | UK riots - How can you support impacted employees?

The riots taking place in the UK right now have shocked and saddened many, with some events causing significant disruptions and questions about the safety and wellbeing of many employees.

From an employer’s perspective, the issue is multifaceted. If you’re a retailer or hospitality business, then you may be concerned about keeping your workforce safe from rioters going into your establishments.

“Some businesses such as hotels, shops, bars and restaurants, and – of course – the emergency services, are directly impacted,” says Kate Palmer, Employment Services Director at Peninsula. “They may have been targeted by protesters, suffered damage or loss, or had employees caught up in the riots either inadvertently or deliberately.

“Where there are concerns over whether a business can safely open, for example, if it has been targeted by rioters and suffered damage, then employers may need to look at what their contractual position is with employees. Employers have a duty of care to employees, which includes providing a safe place to work. Temporary closures may require temporary layoff of employees, other businesses may choose to ask employees to take unpaid leave or annual leave while they ensure that it is safe to reopen.”