Coronavirus/COVID-19 Return to Work Letter

This document creates a letter which can be issued to employees to inform them that they should return to their former workplace where their workplace arrangements were temporarily altered during the Coronavirus Pandemic/COVID-19.

An employer will usually be permitted to ask that an employee shall return to their formal workplace if this was previously defined within the employee's contract of employment.

The employer must remember that an employee does have the right to make a flexible working request once during any twelve month period. An employer should properly consider and respond to any such requests.

Furthermore, where the employer is requesting that employees shall return to the workplace, it is important to remember that an employer has a legal duty to ensure that the workplace meets the required health and safety standards. The letter can also set out some basic details regarding the health and safety measures in place which can assist in limiting employee exposure to the coronavirus.

Where an employer chooses to keep in place arrangement for employees to work remotely permanently, they shall need to consider whether to:

• Formalise the arrangements under a remote work agreement; or
• Issue a new contract of employment to address any legal changes to an employees place of work.

How this document should be used

This document should be printed off and signed by the employer or an authorised member of staff and either posted to or delivered directly to employees.

It is good practice to keep a copy of this letter in the file of each employee it is sent to. Employers may also wish to have employees confirm receipt of this letter once it is issued to them.

Applicable law

Employers in England, Wales and Scotland should be aware of ACAS guidance on working safely during coronavirus

Employers in England should be aware of: Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Employers in Scotland should be aware of: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 1: returning to work safely

Employers in Wales should be aware of: Public health advice for employers, businesses and organisations: coronavirus

Employers in Northern Ireland should be aware of: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for places of work

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.