Major company bans staff from shaking hands to avoid coronavirus spread

It is creating 'very awkward scenes', a staff member said.

Staff at a major company have been told not to shake hands to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In mandatory internal guidance, they were told to avoid physical contact with others in the workplace.

They were also told not to put people’s business cards directly into their pockets but leave them out for several hours first.

A UK staff member at the international business told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s creating very awkward scenes.

‘It was even more awkward when one guest went to hug her contact in the company who she hadn’t seen for months but my colleague refused to hug her.

‘Another visitor to the company said he preferred not to shake hands and offered to touch elbows instead.’

It comes after around 300 staff at London energy firm Chevron based in Canary Wharf were asked to work remotely for the foreseeable future after a member of staff reported flu symptoms on their return from a country infected by the deadly bug.

Businesses are worried about the spread of the new virus, which originated in China but is now spreading around Europe, with 15 cases confirmed in the UK.

Lisa Townsend, Consultant Solicitor of Employment Law at Richard Nelson LLP, said a ban on shaking bands in the workplace could cause confusion for employees, who may become reluctant to share desks or be in close proximity with others.

She told Metro.co.uk: ‘It could also stimulate awkward situations within a business or with external parties. For example, if an employee refuses to shake hands with a client, this could cause offense or damage any long standing relationships.

‘However, employees worried about the spread of coronavirus may feel more comfortable in the office with a no handshaking rule in place.

‘Employers would be better placed to stay up to date with guidance from the Department for Health or local equivalent and update staff on the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid contamination and to make their own informed decision about whether to shake hands or not.’

Kate Palmer, Associate Director of Advisory at global employment law consultancy, Peninsula, said: ‘While we may see an increasing number of companies exploring new ways to prevent the spread of the virus, such as banning all forms of physical contact like handshakes, it should be remembered that the risk of contracting the virus remains low.’

She said that that the spread of the virus might impact on business travel,  and that employers should consider alternatives to meetings in person in countries where there is a risk of infection.

That could include postponing trips until the risk of infection no longer exists, or carrying out meetings via Skype or video conferencing, where possible, she said.

Ms Palmer added: ‘If an individual has recently travelled back from an infected area, the government is currently advising that they do stay away from work for 14 days, which is understood to be the incubation period of the virus.

‘There is no legal requirement to pay employees who are under these instructions unless they report as sick during that time, in which case normal sickness absence and pay procedures should apply.

‘However, due to the circumstances, employers may decide to maintain payment to the individual, particularly if they were in Wuhan or the Hubei Province on business.

‘Alternatively, the employee could be allowed to take this period as annual leave, or provided the opportunity to work from home while they see if they do start to show symptoms.’

Matt Hancock said yesterday that those ordered to self-isolate by the government should be entitled to paid sick leave.

Ms Palmer said: ‘Despite the Health Secretary’s latest comments on coronavirus, there still remains no statutory right to pay people in this position.

‘However, Acas is advising that it would be good practice to do so, mainly to avoid the virus spreading and other employees potentially falling ill.’

Has your workplace implemented new policies to stop the spread of coronavirus? Get in touch by emailing jen.mills@metro.co.uk.
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