We all know what happened in 2020, but what did we learn?
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that no institution or individual alone can address the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges of our complex, interdependent world. The pandemic has accelerated systemic changes that were apparent before its inception. The fault lines that emerged in 2020 now appear as critical crossroads in 2021. The time to rebuild trust and to make crucial choices is fast approaching as the need to reset priorities and the urgency to reform systems grow stronger around the world. (World Economic Forum)
it is the time of the year when we look back and reminisce on the good and not so good that happened in 2020 is no different, however, we had absolutely no idea what this year would bring. We can focus purely on the negative, but we will let the national press deal with that element.
What did we learn?
New terminology entered our every day vocabulary - Pandemic, Furlough, Unprecedented, Working From Home, Self-Isolation, Social-Distancing, R-Number, Lockdown, Flattening the Curve, Zoom, Coronavirus along with Covid-19. Our conversations were regularly peppered with these references as we came to grips with the impact and subsequent consequences of the virus.
Chancellor's statement to the House of Commons – Furlough Extension
Oral Statement, as delivered by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, on 5 November 2020.
Mr Speaker,
On Monday, the Prime Minister set out the action we need to take between now and the start of December to control the spread of coronavirus.
In response, we’re providing significant extra support to protect jobs and livelihoods in every region and nation of the United Kingdom:
An extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme;
More generous support to the self-employed and paying that support more quickly;
Cash grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses which are closed, worth over £1 billion every month;
£1.6 billion for English councils to support their local economy and local healthcare response;
Longer to apply for our loan schemes and the Future Fund;
The chance to top-up Bounce Back Loans;
And an extension to the mortgage payment holidays.
All on top of more than £200 billion of fiscal support since March.
This statement follows the Bank of England’s monetary policy decisions earlier today, meaning all economic and monetary institutions are playing their part.
As you would expect, the Governor and I are in constant communication as the situation evolves.
Our responses are carefully designed to complement each other and provide certainty and support to people and businesses across the UK. The Bank’s forecasts this morning show economic activity is supported by our substantial fiscal and monetary policy action.
And the IMF just last week described the UK’s economic plan as “aggressive”, “unprecedented”, successful in “holding down” unemployment and business failures and “one of the best examples of coordinated action globally”.
Unlocking Property Management
The great property freeze has lifted, with estate agents now allowed to open back up and property moves given the green light again. But as one of the first industries to reopen, how should letting agents prepare for the next phase of their COVID-19 response?
Staff
The first question many agents will be dealing with is how to unfurlough furloughed staff. There are no hard and fast rules. As agents navigate the new situation, it may be worth considering:
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The different skill-sets of your staff – which parts of your operation are on the front line may determine which of your staff should be brought back first.
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Some agents may choose to operate a ‘first-out-first-in’ policy and bringing back those members of staff that have been on furlough the longest.
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Assessing which of your staff may have children at home with nobody to care for them while schools are closed or those that may be more vulnerable make provisions for remote working where possible.(pregnant women or those with health concerns for example).
Furlough - Introduced into the English Language in the 1600s. Now one of the most commonly referred to words in the UK.
Furlough, what does it mean and how is the word pronounced? Does it rhyme with Rough or Dough? This tells you just how uncommon the word is, or was until March 2020.
Employment Law is bound by a very specific set of rules that impacts every working person, and of course it’s important that an employee understands their rights. The impact of Covid-19 has caused a “domino effect” (understatement) in every aspect of life as we knew it, none more serious than a person’s livelihood. By the end of Week 2 of the lockdown, 1 million people had registered on the DWP website applying for Universal Credit. There are no statistics available that provide the background of applicants, yet needless to say there is a much greater need than before this crisis for help .