Law firms in Wales have been urged to consider their Office Coronavirus Risk Assessments to include the latest guidance, and to check in on their employees’ wellbeing as Wales has moved into Alert Level 4 in the Welsh Government Regulations (as of midnight on Saturday 19 December 2020).
The Law Society Wales Committee has urged all firms in Wales to take this opportunity to review and update their Office Coronavirus Risk Assessments to include the latest guidance which can be found below:
- Regulations 18 Dec 2020: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-12/the-health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-no5-wales-regulations-2020.pdf
- Amendment 19 December 2020: https://gov.wales/health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-no-5-wales-amendment-regulations-2020
Mark Evans, Chair of The Wales Committee of The Law Society of England and Wales, said:
“Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for many people and this year no doubt will be made more difficult with the restrictions places on us all. Can I therefore urge you to ensue that you have systems in place to support your staff and each other during this time.”
Further links to useful information can be found at the end of this article.
Evans added:
“The staff at The Law Society Wales Office have worked tirelessly with both Welsh Government and those UK Government Bodies in Wales throughout the year and I would like to thank them for their tremendous support and commitment.
“I am further reassured that they will be monitoring the situation throughout the holiday period and providing us with updates when necessary.”
Kath Roberts, Senior Partner, Cardiff, Eversheds Sutherland, and member of the Thriving in the Workplace Business Council, which works to raise awareness and support businesses to deal with mental health and wellness, reminded law firms to check in on their staff at this difficult time. She said:
“We are currently facing an extraordinary physical health challenge, but along with this has come an equally significant threat to mental health and wellbeing.
“In addition to supporting protection from the virus we need to work with Welsh Government and relevant bodies, like Mind Cymru, to ensure that as employers and employees in the legal industry we are doing everything we can to support people through these very challenging times.”
Useful information
- Business closures: alert level 4 18 December 2020: Detailed guide here.
- Visiting people in private homes: alert level 3 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Alert level 4 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Alert level 3 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Alert level 1 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Alert level 2 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Alert level 3: frequently asked questions 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Technical Advisory Group Policy Modelling: December 2020 and January 2021 18 Dec 2020: report
- Leaving your home and seeing other people: alert level 4 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- Visiting people in private homes: alert level 4 18 December 2020 Detailed guide
- National Protocol for Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine 18 December 2020 Guidance
- The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Wales) Regulations 2020, as amended 18 December 2020 Legislation
Contact
The Law Society Wales will monitor the situation throughout the holiday period and will provide regular updates.
Should you have any specific issues or require assistance, please contact Richard Jones, Engagement Manager (Wales), via: rich.jones@lawsociety.org.uk
