Preparing for legal risks will play vital role in businesses’ return to work strategies

As thousands of shops, businesses and construction sites reopen as part of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the measures put in place under the Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol will be a key area of focus.

DLA Piper has published extensive advice to help clients navigate these measures and get back to business safely and smoothly. From occupier liabilities to temporary tax-related measures and insolvency and restructuring options, the ‘Up Again’ guide acts as a handy checklist to help businesses to understand their duties and responsibilities while navigating new risks and managing opportunities.

DLA Piper’s ‘Up Again’ is a detailed, global comparative analysis with a focus on seven key areas: People, Premises, Government Support, Privacy, Corporate Governance, Contract Management, Restructuring and Insurance. The guide outlines the key measures businesses should be implementing as they return to work and offers comprehensive and concise advice on the day-to-day practical steps needed to navigate the next weeks and months, based on the experience of international colleagues in jurisdictions that are further ahead in terms of recovery in relation to Ireland.

David Carthy, Managing Partner of DLA Piper Ireland said, “The Government’s Return to Work Safely Protocol is designed to help businesses resume operations while ensuring the safety of staff and members of the public. This will require significant adjustments to the way we work. Up Again is designed to help businesses navigate these adjustments with ease. We’re here to help them get back to business wherever they are and whatever the need.”

“In the rush to get back to business as usual, it is important to crystallize objectives and formulate a strategy that does not give exposure to litigation or to allegations that a business has failed to mitigate loss. There are important measures that businesses can take to identify legal risks and respond to them strategically. Our comprehensive guide, Up Again, offers practical advice for global businesses and highlights considerations to ensure businesses are prepared to bounce back without legal ramifications.”

The guide also highlights some key risks as Ireland progresses through the five phases of reopening the economy, including complex data protection issues relating to temperature checks and contact tracing apps.

John Magee, Partner and Head of Data Protection, Privacy and Security at DLA Piper Ireland said, “COVID-19 has thrown up huge privacy and cybersecurity issues for governments, businesses and communities. As the transition back to the workplace begins, these concerns will only be amplified as businesses implement measures that enable continuity of operations while abiding by public health rules. From temperature checks and contact tracing apps to the roll-out of novel technologies such as facial recognition, thermal sensors and proximity alert bracelets, these measures bring with them significant cybersecurity risks.

“Navigating complex data protection issues while addressing critical health and safety and business continuity concerns requires businesses to take a thoughtful, measured and robust approach when considering those implications and balancing the risks.”

Visit the DLA Piper’s Up Again hub for this essential guidance. Up Again will be updated regularly to track the changes as the situation evolves and as jurisdictions implement different measures.