COVID-19 Outbreak

The situation with the COVID–19 (coronavirus) is a fast moving and developing issue.

There is delicate balance to strike in relation to ensuring that we maximise the availability of staff whilst at the same time supporting the control of the spread of this virus and safeguard the health and wellbeing of staff.  There is an expectation that organisations take appropriate and proportionate action to support staff in their organisational responses and communications which do not inadvertently work against this approach.

We are working with colleagues across Welsh Government and with trade union partners and UK colleagues to provide ongoing clarity in this area to ensure that our advice, guidance and support is joined up  to ensure and that there is ongoing consistent advice in relation to wider aspects of employment and management responses.  Likewise, the development of plans and approaches at local level should be made in partnership, wherever possible.

General Workforce Advice and Guidance

Frequently Asked Questions for Managers and Staff (12 June 2020)

These have been developed and agreed in partnership to support managers and staff in relation to a wide range of situations relating to the COVID-19 including any variations to terms and conditions of service.

Joint Statement on industrial relations and facilities time during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic (20 April 2020)

A joint statement outlining how Welsh Government, employers and trade unions will seek to maintain partnership working at all levels during the pandemic.

Joint statement on the importance of booking and taking annual leave during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic (July 2020)

A joint statement agreed by the NHS Wales Welsh Partnership Forum on taking annual leave during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Guidance on supporting shielding employees return to the workplace (August 2020)

Guidance on supporting shielding employees return to the workplace given shielding will be paused from 16th August 2020 in Wales (and from 1st August 2020 in England). See also Top Ten Tips for Managers on shielding employees returning to work.

Homeworking Advice and Guidance for Managers and Staff (27 March 2020)

The COVID-19 outbreak has necessitated a switch to homeworking for a great deal of staff to help prevent its spread.  This guidance contains a number of approaches which both employers and employees can follow to ensure that individuals continue to be effectively supported whilst undertaking their roles from a different location and that vital work continues to be undertaken.

COVID -19 Compassion Starts with Me (March 2020)

A selection of open access tools and resources aimed at staff across the Service which has been developed in partnership.  The resource is intended to be organic and the content will be adapted as the situation changes.

Mutual Aid Guidance and Redeployment Principles (21 April 2020)

These have been agreed in partnership and are available to support the redeployment of staff between organisations as required during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Medical Workforce Only

Temporary changes - Consultants, Specialty Doctors and Associated Specialists (20 April 2020)

This letter outlines the temporary changes agreed in partnership to recognise the commitment of consultants, specialty doctors and associated specialists.

Joint statement on the application of contractual provisions for junior doctors and dentists in Wales during the Covid-19 pandemic (21 April 2020)

This statement sets out the principles agreed in partnership that will apply during the period.

Joint statement on annual leave, study leave and public holiday arrangements for doctors and dentists in training during the Covid-19 pandemic (10 June 2020)

This statement sets out the principles agreed in partnership that will apply during the period.

Advice for the public

Please see Public Health Wales website.