Covid: Working from home - a professional guide to your rights - Paul Doran Law

Belfast Office
12 Carnmoney Road
Glengormley
County Antrim BT36 6HN

Leeds Office
West One
114 Wellington Street
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 1BA

London Office
124 City Road
London EC1V 2NX

Newcastle Office
Gear House
Saltmeadows Road
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear NE8 3AH

Telephone: 0808 1687 288
Email: enquiries@pauldoranlaw.com

Covid: Working from home – a professional guide to your rights

Covid - Working from home - a professional guide to your rights

Covid: Working from home – a professional guide to your rights

Do you have questions about Covid, working from home, returning to work, and your rights? This professional guide includes our answers.

As the Covid pandemic continues, the UK vaccine programme is rolling out, and the end of furlough scheme is in sight. You might be wondering what that means to you.

The government guidance is to work from home where possible.

“You can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home… Employers and employees should discuss their working arrangements, and employers should take every possible step to facilitate their employees working from home. Where people cannot work from home, employers should take steps to… help employees avoid busy times and routes on public transport.”

Can my employer force me to return to my workplace? 

Returning to work must be ‘necessary’, ‘safe’ and ‘mutually agreed’.

If it is possible for you to work from home, your employer can’t force you to return as it won’t be necessary. If they don’t make the workplace Covid-secure, it won’t be safe. And the first step is a conversation so you can reach mutual agreement.

Do I have to go back to work if I’ve been furloughed?

The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of September 2021. But employees have no automatic right to be furloughed or to stay on furlough.

There is no standard notice period (although 48 hours is usually considered enough time).

You should have been given a written agreement when your furlough period first started or was extended. This document should include the amount of notice your employer will give you to announce the end of furlough, and the arrangements for returning to work.

Do I have to go back to work if I’m classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’ due to an underlying health condition?

With the vaccine programme rolling out across the UK, clinically vulnerable people are no longer being advised to shield.

Do I have to go back if I’m pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, you are no longer being advised to shield, so the same guidelines apply to you as they do to everyone else.

Do I have to go back if I have children or vulnerable people to care for?

This is something to discuss with your employer. They should give you enough notice to arrange childcare.

Do I have to go back if I think my workplace is unsafe?

Your employer must protect the health and safety of their employees. That includes ensuring that your workplace is Covid secure. For example, they should:

If they don’t do this, you can refuse to go back to work.

If your employer hasn’t done a proper risk assessment, first, talk to them about your concerns. If you’re not satisfied, you should follow the usual company procedure to raise a grievance. You can also talk to the Health & Safety Executive, your union, and Citizens Advice.

If you want to bring a claim to an employment tribunal, contact Acas, the arbitration service. You can also talk to us – we are employment lawyers who only act for employees, and have succeeded in winning millions of pounds in compensation for thousands of people.

Note that you should act quickly as there is a strict time limit for making a claim of three months less one day.

What if I’m in quarantine after travelling abroad?

You should talk to your employer before you go. They may ask you to work from home or the quarantine hotel during the quarantine period, or to take the time as annual leave or unpaid leave.

What if I refuse to return to work because I’m scared of catching Covid-19?

When your employer makes the workplace as safe as possible, it will be no more risky to go to work than it is to go anywhere else. In that case, a refusal to return would be considered ‘unreasonable’, count as ‘unauthorised absence’, and your employer could take disciplinary action against you.

To allay your concerns, the first step will be a discussion with them. For example, you might be able to:

What if I have symptoms of Covid-19?

In that case, you MUST stay at home to avoid infecting others.

What if a member of my household has symptoms of Covid-19?

You MUST self-isolate, and work from home if possible.

What if I am dismissed because I’m self-isolating?

If you lose your job because you’re self-isolating, this would amount to unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and you can make a claim against your employer. If that happens to you, talk to us as soon as possible. The initial conversation is free. We’ll explain your rights, tell you your chance of succeeding, and hold your hand every step of the way.

Further reading relating to ‘Covid: Working from home – a professional guide to your rights’

Need help?

For a FREE assessment of your case, call 0808 168 7288 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.

See what they say >

You have a choice of ways to pay, including ‘no win, no fee’.

Browse funding options

Back to all news

Share Article With:

Call us on
0808 1687288
or fill in this
Free Online Enquiry

(no cost or obligation)

We will only use the information you provide to handle your enquiry, and we will never share it with any third parties.

What Our Clients Say

I found all the staff to be knowledgeable and highly professional. Stephanie W

My experience has been a very professional one. The case ran smoothly from the get go. I was always kept in the loop. Dinah T

Up to date information. Easy to contact. Knowledgeable solicitor. No win without him. Audrey S

Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice, would recommend. Ken S

Efficient and helpful. Takes the claimant points into consideration. Angela R

Paul Doran Law has been extremely helpful and supportive in very difficult circumstances. I would highly recommend them as professionals to others and have a lot of faith in their advice. David R

Although a lengthy case I have been constantly updated throughout. Susan R

Paul answered me promptly, was very helpful and advised me what to do. Winifred P

Paul Doran was very helpful during my communication. Friendly and professional. Adrian M

Cormac is a very reassuring person, he made sure I was kept up to date as my case progressed and was always supportive when I got the jitters. He was very diligent and methodical whilst representing me. Iain M

Professional approach and positive attitude. Shirley M

Competent and efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

Very helpful. Emma McA

Satisfied with service. Susan H

Very satisfied with the professional way case was handled. Evelyn H

Staff and solicitor very helpful at all times. Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously, and in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

Very friendly and competent service. Peter G

My experience using Paul was very professional at all times. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Straight forward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result, Paul did a lot of work. Thank you. Lyn E

Felt at ease and was listened to; got excellent advice. Gemma D

Very professional and always willing to help and offer advice when needed on the situation. Lytreena D

Outstanding, friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

Very professional and always left valued as a client. I feel that the company has worked very hard to get me a good result. Christine C

From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard, after which the process was then easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

Confident in representation. June B

Very happy with all aspects of my experience from initial contact to finish. Andrew B

Understanding and very prompt. Michelle W

Completely professional, and secured a settlement beyond my expectations. Cormac was exceptional – very many thanks. Joan W

Very happy with results. Very grateful for all Paul and his team have done for me. I feel valued as a client, my questions were always answered very quickly. Thank you. Anna V

Very good, professional. Amida S

Always responsive, courteous and supportive. Would recommend to friends and family without hesitation. David S

Easy and efficient and professional at all times. Stephanie R

Very good. Yusuf O

Excellent, efficient and prompt legal advice. Very satisfied with service provided. Lisa N

It took me a long time to find a solicitor who would support my case. I’m so glad I found Paul Doran Law who brought me success. Shirley N

I have had a very pleasant experience using Paul Doran Law and would definitely use again. Rebecca McM

The service was always informative, dignified and respectful. Chloe McL

I would definitely recommend. Colleen McB

Cormac was excellent from start to finish. I have already recommended him to friends and family. Sam M

Paul Doran Law were professional and very concerned about my feelings and what I had been through. I felt that they cared. Lisa M

Professional, helpful, very knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Bekki M

I found Cormac very compassionate and was always there as I had a lot of queries. Stephen McG

Impressed with accessibly, speed of response and professionalism. Edna L

Cormac was very professional and reassuring at all times. Kat K

Great, a good experience. Thank you. Mary K

Professional, efficient and friendly. Tabitha K

Very well treated throughout. I was always listened to and my questions answered. Allan H

I found Mr Rice to be professional, amiable and my overall experience was a positive one. Marcel G

I received valued information initially and came back later to receive a very satisfactory outcome. Lyn F

Put at ease very early on which helped me feel less stress. Harry D

I can’t thank you enough. I am so glad with the outcome and will recommend you. Christopher B

Cormac was great. Tom B

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. Shelia H

This claim has been handled professionally and without delays. I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Should the need arise I would definitely use Paul Doran’s services again. Suzie U

Any queries were answered quickly with detailed responses.  Sharon H

Everything was written very simply and in plain English which was good. Sylvia B

When time lines have been set, they have been met. I did not just feel like a case number. Karen S

When I emailed, Paul replied straight away.Very friendly and easy to talk to. Rita C

Paul was very thorough and helpful and successfully brought my case to an end. Margaret C

I feel strongly that Paul cares about clients. Pamela R

Paul was very reasonable and fair regarding the fees deducted from my claim offer I was awarded. Deborah McM

Very professional all the way through the process. Sharon C

I found all the staff to be knowledgeable and highly professional. Stephanie W

Well informed and easy to contact. I wouldn’t have won my case without him. Audrey S

Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice. Would recommend. Ken S

Efficient. Helpful. Take the clients points into consideration. Angela R

Paul Doran Law has been extremely helpful and supportive in very difficult circumstances. David R

Although a lengthy case, I have been constantly updated throughout. Jenny R

Professional and efficient service with helpful and friendly staff. Susan R

My case was handled professionally and my solicitor was very understanding and quick to respond. Eleanor P

Paul was very helpful and friendly. Adrian M

Cormac is a very reassuring person. He was very supportive when I got the jitters. Iain M

Kept going when it did not good and achieved a successful outcome. Shirley M

Competent, efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac deserves a salary for counselling alone! Lesley A

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

They were quick to get things sorted. Emma McA

Very satisfied with the outcome to my case. Evelyn H

Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

I liked the personal touch. I received phone calls with updates instead of relying on letters all of the time. Sharon C

Very friendly and competent service. Peter G

Very professional. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Straightforward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result. Paul did a lot of work. Lyn E

Very professional and always willing to help and offer advice when needed. Lytreena D

Very pleasant manner from staff and solicitors. Sara C

Outstanding. Friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

I feel the company worked very hard to get the result. Christine C

From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard after which to prove the case got easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

Very good overall service. Judith B

Very happy with all aspects of my experience from initial contact to finish. Andrew B

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Paula F

Very professional. I always felt valued as a client Christine C

Paul was extremely professional and efficient Lesley A

Outstanding – friendly service from start to finish Matthew C

Paul Doran was very helpful during my communications, friendly & professional. Adrian M

I found right from the beginning Paul was very friendly and easy to ask questions at any time. Rita C

Paul is prompt, friendly and approachable. I liked how he was committed to my case and kept me informed. Judith P

I appreciate the thorough and expedient manner to which the task was completed. Barbara H

I feel Paul really cares about his clients and works to get the best outcome and justice for them.  Elaine S

My claim has been handled professionaly and without delays.  I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Paul’s legal service is professional and thorough. Sharon H

I entrusted him with something that was very important to me and he did not let me down. Deborah McM

I was in contact with Paul on many occasions and all queries were dealt with personally and politely. Judith C

It has been a pleasure using Paul Doran Law. I would recommend him to friends and family. Sylvia B

Cormac was an absolute pleasure to work with – very polite, helpful, and thoughtful. Jessica D

Paul was polite and considerate and efficient. I would highly recommend this firm Geraldine A

I have been very impressed by the industry knowledge and the level of service provided. Nuala M

Quick, honest and responsive.

J Chambers

The service provided has been delivered beyond expectation.

K L Stokoe

Recommend without reservation.

J Taylor

If Paul had not taken on my case, I would not have received monies owed to me. E Shefford

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. S Hall

View more testimonials

Why Choose Us?

  • We only work for employees
  • 25+ Years' Experience
  • No Win, No Fee available
  • Insurance to protect against Tribunal fees