Employees and their bosses will be weighing up how to maintain 'business as usual' following the UK school closures on Friday.

As reported, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced that the school bell on Friday will signal the end of schools "until further notice" in a bid to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

Matthew Fell, CBI Chief UK Policy Director, said: “Difficult decisions are having to be made each day and people’s safety must always come first. Today’s announcement on school closures feels necessary, but of course will present challenges for parents and carers.

“Businesses will do all they can to help their employees in these unprecedented times.

"Companies will make every effort to offer flexible working, but many parents simply won’t be able to do their jobs and care for their children at the same time. With so many businesses already struggling with cashflow, government will urgently need to step in with additional support to employees who are unable to work because of school closures.”

 

Co-Executive director of the British Chamber of Commerce Hannah Essex said: “Businesses will want to do the right thing as parents and carers are affected by school closures.

"Firms are introducing flexible working arrangements wherever possible to support employees with caring responsibilities, but cash flow issues mean many businesses are having to make impossible choices.

“Government should clarify the definition of ‘key workers’ to ensure it is doing everything possible to support both the economy and those who need to care for others.

"Ministers need to move faster to ensure financial support reaches businesses and employees facing the real-world impacts of this pandemic."

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