With returning to work in some sectors proving to be problematic, the Society of Occupational Medicine have launched two toolkits providing guidance for employers and health professionals so they can work together on facilitating a safe return to the workplace as the coronavirus lockdown measures are being lifted. The toolkits are: ‘Returning to the workplace after the COVID-19 lockdown’ produced in partnership with Acas, Mind, BITC and CIPD and the ‘COVID-19 Return to work guide – For health professionals advising patients and employers’. The guidance highlights that making work attractive and providing reassurance to staff is key to returning to work. Employers need to identify obstacles, understand that temporary, medium or long-term adjustments may be required and that a conversation about returning to work between line managers and employees is critical. Staff confidence comes from them being engaged and confident that their concerns are being listened to and acted upon, as well as knowing that employers are working with appropriate experts.
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