On 28 September 2020 employers were given responsibility for preventing employees who should be self-isolating from coming into the workplace. Employers now will commit an offence if they knowingly require or encourage someone who is required to self-isolate to come into the workplace.

Breach of these rules is an offence with fines starting at £1,000 for the first offence, £2,000 for the second, £4,000 for the third and £10,000 for the fourth and subsequent offences.

HR departments should therefore brief their line managers and employees on these strict rules. Employees should be required to inform their line manager or HR if they are required to self-isolate.