The WHO has classified the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. There are increasing reports of companies implementing "split-operations", mandatory home office for everyone or flexible work time models ad-interim. As an HR professional, you are now confronted with a variety of questions about your organization’s rights and obligations in relation to your people. At the same time, you need to know how to manage the current crisis and, ultimately, protect your employees, business and reputation effectively and in accordance with relevant laws.
Employers have a duty of care towards their employees and thus are legally obliged to take all necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard their employees’ health. To achieve this, the employer has an extended right to give instructions to employees. We discuss your most pressing questions below.