Covid-19 – Advice for Employers

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Employers need to be mindful of issues relating to employees in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employers should not send staff to be tested at either COVID clinics or through GP referrals unless they have a fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough or sore throat AND:

  • have returned from overseas travel in the last 14 days; or
  • are a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case; or 
  • believe they may have been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19.

Health authorities advise that it is ineffective and unnecessary to test people who do not have these symptoms.

Unnecessary testing also uses more valuable resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and pathology supplies, which are in limited supply worldwide.

There is no point testing someone if they do not have symptoms and it uses valuable resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and pathology supplies, which are in limited supply worldwide and need to be used responsibly for patients who meet testing criteria.

Employers should not send their staff to COVID-19 Clinics or GPs for medical clearances or certificates.

Encourage and practice quality personal hygiene like you would in the winter flu season – the includes covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often with soap or sanitiser and staying away from work if unwell.

Continue to follow the advice of health authorities – anyone instructed to self-isolate by a medical professional must take the request seriously and stay home to avoid putting others at risk. This means you don’t leave your property, you don’t go to work or school, you don’t go on outings and you don’t have visitors. The only time to leave the house is to seek medical attention.

Know the facts by sourcing accurate information, from credible sources such as the Department of Health. Employers are advised to remain calm and use common sense.

Visit this website for more information: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-latest-updates.

Tim Hayter, Principal, Mid West Lawyers

This information is general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Formal legal advice should be sought for your particular circumstances.