Archive: COVID-19 guidance | NHS Employers

The temporary and non-contractual COVID-19 guidance developed by the Department of Health and Social Care in March 2020 has now been archived. The guidance included clarifying advice on sickness and self-isolation arising through COVID-19 and was ultimately designed to help employers ensure that staff did not attend their workplace at a time when little was known about the new virus, if they suspected they may be infectious.
The government has now published the Living with COVID-19 plan, setting out a new phase of managing COVID-19 in England. As such, from 7 July 2022, this guidance has been archived.

A masked woman looking out of a window.

Self isolation [Withdrawn]

Information, including frequently asked questions around managing staff required to self-isolate in your organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 December 2021

Sickness absence during COVID-19 [Withdrawn]

Details on managing sickness absence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3 September 2020

A nurse checking a tablet computer.

Forms of absence during COVID-19 [Withdrawn]

Guidance on how to manage forms of absence such as carers' leave and special leave in your organisation during the pandemic.

27 March 2020

Two home workers in discussion by a laptop.

Recording COVID-19 related absences on ESR [Withdrawn]

The Electronic Staff Record (ESR) has been adapted to enable recording of COVID-19 related absence.

15 April 2020

A masked healthcare worker checking a ward laptop.

Annual leave during COVID-19 [Withdrawn]

Guidance on managing annual leave for your staff during COVID-19.

9 April 2020

FAQs [Withdrawn]

Read a list of frequently asked questions around pay for NHS staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 December 2021

A row of cars on a busy road.

Travel and tax FAQs during COVID-19 [Withdrawn]

Answers to questions raised by employers about travel, self isolation and other miscellaneous topics.

11 September 2020

A patient and physiotherapist wearing masks during a session.

Additional work to support the emergency [Withdrawn]

Guidance on how additional time should be paid during the pandemic, including for students and apprentices.

22 June 2020

A diverse group of healthcare staff walking along a hospital corridor.

Returning to work in the NHS [Withdrawn]

Read the DHSC guidance on staff returning to work in the NHS during COVID-19

20 April 2020

Working hours and working time regulations [Withdrawn]

The Working Time Regulations 1998 will remain in force during the COVID-19 emergency but their application will need to be reviewed at a local level.

27 March 2020

A COVID-19 mobile testing unit.

Reprioritising existing work [Withdrawn]

Guidance to consider which non-urgent work can be re-prioritised in order to help manage your workforce priorities.

27 March 2020

A doctor wearing full PPE.

COVID-19 medical and dental workforce FAQs [Withdrawn]

Clarification on a number of issues that have been raised by employers in relation to the medical and dental workforce and the impact of COVID-19.

3 February 2021