Employment Law and Coronavirus – Daniel Barnett speaks on LBC Radio

In response to the continued public concern over CoVid-19, Daniel Barnett, a leading employment barrister at Outer Temple Chambers co-presented a Q&A on the implications of coronavirus on employment law on LBC Radio.

The Virus

Coronavirus has put Italy in lockdown and dominated the UK Government agenda in recent days. Those infected may only display flu like symptoms. However, it is potentially lethal for those with weaker immune systems and is highly contagious. The ease at which it is spreading across the world has caused panic and many businesses have been severely affected by the number of people being advised to self isolate.

Employment Law Q&A

Daniel is a leading authority on employment law and was invited to answer a number of questions from concerned LBC Radio listeners during a ‘Coronavirus Special’ on Saturday 8 March. He discussed various issues and answered questions from callers in the one hour show including:

• The government’s proposed reforms to sickpay.
• The difference between sickpay and statutory sickpay.
• What should employers do if people decide not to come to work?
• What steps can employers take to help employees?

Daniel went on to consider specific professions and the issues facing those that are self employed including:

• Can the NHS insist paramedics shave their facial hair to make masks more effective?
• Do jurors have to turn up to jury service?
• Should driving instructors stop giving lessons?
• What are wedding photographers’ rights if weddings are cancelled?
• What are the issues facing self-employed individuals?

Finally, there were a number of concerns from employees:

• What medical evidence is needed to take time off?
• Do you get paid if my employer closes the workplace?
• What if an employer tells you to come into work, despite someone at work being diagnosed with Covid-19?
• What if you need to take time off because your childrens’ school has closed?

Listen to the full show for the answers here:

More about Daniel Barnett

Daniel Barnett is a leading employment law and commercial law barrister. With 25 years’ experience representing business, he has acted for international airlines, FTSE-250 companies, NHS Trusts, many hundreds of SMEs and a Royal Family.

Daniel is the first port of call for much of the national media when seeking comment on legal issues. Since 2010 he has presented the legal hour on LBC Radio, answering questions from listeners. He is regularly quoted in the national broadsheets and by major news broadcasters.

Daniel has also contributed to the Law Society Handbook on Employment Law. He is a leading speaker on employment law on the national and international seminar circuit.

To find out more, contact Nick Levett on 020 7427 4908.

Covid-19 10 Mar, 2020