THE Welsh Government is continuing to advise that people work remotely where possible to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The most effective way of minimising the risk of exposure to coronavirus in workplaces is to enable some or all staff to work from home, as often as possible.

“As ‘reasonable measures’ there is an expectation that employers should be flexible and make adjustments wherever that is possible to enable that to happen. This may include issuing staff with laptops and mobile phones and facilitating communication from wherever members of staff may be.”

The spokesman states that employees should not be placed under pressure to return to a workplace setting if there is not a clearly demonstrated business need for them to do so.

The spokesman adds: “Employers who are considering requiring their staff to return to workplace settings should first assess whether alternative arrangements could meet the majority of the employer’s needs. This should be discussed with staff or representatives of staff.

“In determining whether to ask staff to return to workplace settings, employers should consider whether any individual’s wellbeing would be particularly adversely affected by their returning to work (for example because they are at increased risk or have been shielding, or because returning to the workplace would cause them severe anxiety).”

On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that there may be staff who wish to return to workplace settings

On this, the spokesman said: “In these circumstances, the wellbeing of staff is a relevant consideration when deciding what measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus are reasonable.

“Although employers’ first priority should be minimising the risk of exposure to coronavirus, this should be balanced against the detrimental effect working from home is having on an employee’s wellbeing.

“In these circumstances if employees in this position can return to the workplace setting without a significant increase in the risk of exposure to coronavirus, this should be allowed.

“In considering this, employers should consider the extent to which the employee returning to the workplace would come into close contact with others both within the workplace but also in travelling to and from work.”