How Coronavirus Affects Equine Recruitment

As the wheels of the equestrian industry start to slowly grind into motion again with “lockdown” easing, many people are unsure or confused as to how these restrictions affect their equestrian pursuits and, in particular, those who work or employ staff in the equine industry. As the no.1 equestrian recruitment agency, we’re keen that everyone understands how coronavirus affects equine recruitment, in order that disruption may be kept to a minimum while keeping everyone safe. We are receiving lots of calls and emails asking should I stay put or change my job? Can I go for interviews? Is it wise to recruit for a new Groom? etc etc

We felt it vital we took advice directly from the Government on how yards can cope with their staffing needs throughout this surreal and unprecedented time.

We have taken advice relating to recruitment and employment matters directly from a Government body. All other information is taken from respectable bodies and sources are clearly stated. We are not legal experts or experts on coronavirus – you must exercise caution and common sense at all times, and seek personal advice directly.

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How Coronavirus Affects Equine Recruitment

The Government advises that recruitment activities may continue where necessary.

Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service provided by the Government, advises us today (24th March 2020) that recruitment activities within the equine industry may continue where necessary. As we all know, horses don’t care for themselves so, as with all animal care professions, healthy Grooms, Stud Hands etc can to continue working throughout the “lockdown”. By association, recruitment activities within the equine industry may continue as long as everyone adheres strongly to social distancing measures laid out by the Government, see here.

Advertising a job vacancy and sourcing suitable candidates via The Grooms List is not an activity that puts anyone at risk. Coronavirus affects equine recruitment at the job interview stage, which poses a threat of spreading Coronavius.

Who should hold/attend job interviews and who should postpone them?

Yes, go ahead with your job interviews

• If you are an employer and were already recruiting for a much-needed team member to care for the horses in your yard.
• If you are an employer and you have Grooms off sick or self-isolating you can go ahead and recruit a Freelance or Short Term Groom to help cover your yard.
• If you are a fit and healthy, non-vulnerable Groom you may apply for jobs and work as usual, while adherely strongly to social distancing guidelines.

No! Please postpone your job interviews!

• If you are recruiting or job hunting for a Competition Groom role, this isn’t essential and should be put on hold.
• If you are a Riding School recruiting Instructors and Trainers, this is not essential as leisure and pleasure activities are included in the “lockdown”. Please put your job interviews for these individuals on hold. You can, however, still recruit Grooms.
• If you are classed as a vulnerable person, or you are displaying any symptons of coronavirus, you must put your job interviews on hold.

Holding and Attending Job Interviews

Before arranging an interview:

• Make the most of a thorough telephone conversation in the first instance.
• Use photographs and videos of show turnout, riding, yard facilities, horses etc. as much as possible to set the scene before anyone makes any travel arrangements to visit the yard.
• Use Skype, Facetime or any other video calling facility before anyone makes any travel arrangements to visit the yard.
• Only make arrangements for a candidate to visit an employer when you’ve exhausted all non-travel options of getting to know each other.
• Don’t make arrangements for job interviews that are too far to drive to and from the candidate’s home. There will be no where for anyone to stay locally, and you must not accommodate an interviewee in your home.
• Please do not make arrangements for an interview if the candidate has to use public transport to attend.
• Shared accommodation: both employers and employees, please consult with and respect each other, and the risks, when considering introducing a new person to shared accommodation. Please avoid introducing a new recruit to any form of shared accommodation while Britain is in “lockdown”.

Travelling to an interview:

• When travelling to a job interview, print out emails detailing your arrangement for the job interview as a Groom and carry it with you. Should you be stopped and asked where you’re going and why, you’ll have this to show.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before you leave and ask to wash your hands when you arrive.
• Keep hand sanitiser, hand wash, antiseptic hand wipes in your car, and remember to use them on your steering wheel, handles, buttons, handbrake, gear stick etc as well as your hands!

Attending an interview:

Ensure you maintain a minimum of 2 metres distance from anyone else at ALL times!

• Do not shake hands!
• Employers must offer an interviewee the facilities to wash their hands when they arrive and throughout their time with you. Likewise, interviewees must ask and ensure they use the facilities available.
• Wear gloves.
• Try to hold the entirety of your interview outside, but please do not think that being outside will give you any degree of immunity! Being outside will simply afford you more space to maintain a good distance from each other.
• Where possible, save introducing the interviewee to other team members until you are certain they are joining you, and then please do so while adhering to social distancing rules.
• We always advise employers to interview candidates themselves – if an employer is self isolating or believes they may be showing symptoms of coronavirus, please postpone the interview or, if necessary, delegate interviewing to a healthy, non-vulnerable friend or yard worker (not another member of your household).
• Keep job trials to one day, the same day the candidate attends the interview.
• Take care not to risk anything that could lead to placing additional strain on the emergency services and medical profession. If it isn’t essential, don’t do it.

Before starting or continuing your recruitment drive or job hunt, please read our advice on the following topics. There will be useful information you can apply throughout this time:

• Job offers
• Employment Contracts
• Attending interviews

Advice for Employers

Grooms are essential workers and can continue to work throughout the “lockdown”.

• If someone becomes unwell in the workplace with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, they should be sent home and advised to follow the advice to stay at home.
• Employees should be reminded to wash their hands for 20 seconds more frequently and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues.
• Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly, using your standard cleaning products.
• Those who follow advice to stay at home will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) from the first day of their absence from work.
• Employers should use their discretion concerning the need for medical evidence for certification for employees who are unwell. This will allow GPs to focus on their patients.
• If evidence is required by an employer, those with symptoms of coronavirus can get an isolation note from NHS 111 online, and those who live with someone that has symptoms can get a note from the NHS website.
• employees from defined vulnerable groups should be strongly advised and supported to stay at home and work from there if possible.

Source: www.gov.uk

See full information on all of the above on the government website here.

It’s good practice for employers to:

• Be especially careful and take extra steps for vulnerable groups, including those who are pregnant, aged 70 or over, or who have a long-term health condition.
• Hold meetings as remote calls and avoid travel as much as possible.
• Make sure managers know how to spot symptoms of coronavirus and are clear on any relevant processes, for example sickness reporting and sick pay, and procedures in case someone in the workplace shows symptoms of the virus.
• Make sure there are clean places to wash hands with hot water and soap, and encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly.
• Provide hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them.
• Make sure everyone’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date.
• Keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in the workplace.

Source: ACAS

If an employee does not want to go to work

• Some people might feel they do not want to go to work if they’re afraid of catching coronavirus. This could particularly be the case for those who are at higher risk.
• An employer should listen to any concerns staff may have and should take steps to protect everyone.
• If an employee still does not want to go in, they may be able to arrange with their employer to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave. The employer does not have to agree to this.
• If an employee refuses to attend work without a valid reason, it could result in disciplinary action.

Source: ACAS

Help for employers and businesses

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19.

This includes a package of measures to support businesses including:

• A Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – please seek advice before making workers redundant.
• Deferring VAT and Income Tax payments
• A Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)
• A 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality, leisure and nursery businesses in England
• Small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
• Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
• A new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
• The HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

Source: www.gov.uk

See full information on all of the above on the government website here.

***It’s important that Employers prepare in advance a plan of action to take in the event that they, or a member of their team, should become ill and be unable to work. The CIPD offers advice on this within this article***

Advice for Workers

Grooms are essential workers and can continue to work throughout the “lockdown”.

Financial Support for Workers

When workers hours are cut or they are “furloughed”

The government have announced that they are proposing a “furlough “of employees who would be out of a job but still be registered with their employer and therefore receiving 80% of their wage.

• It applies to all businesses
• Employees who would otherwise be made redundant can be designated a “furloughed employee” by the employer
• It is the employer’s decision, but the employee will have to agree (why wouldn’t you as otherwise going to be redundant)
• It is max 3 months to 1st June when it will be reviewed for extension
• You will get 80% of wages
• The employee must not do any work for the employer whilst on furlough
• The employer does not have to top it up to full wages
• Likely to be based on February’s wages
• It does not apply to those who have already agreed to reduce their hours

Source: the British Grooms Association

If you do not want to go to work

• Some people might feel they do not want to go to work if they’re afraid of catching coronavirus. This could particularly be the case for those who are at higher risk.
• An employer should listen to any concerns staff may have and should take steps to protect everyone.
• If an employee still does not want to go in, they may be able to arrange with their employer to take the time off as holiday or unpaid leave. The employer does not have to agree to this.
• If an employee refuses to attend work without a valid reason, it could result in disciplinary action.

Source: ACAS

Advice for Self-Employed Grooms

The Chancellor has just announced financial assistance for self-employed workers

Financial Support for Freelance and Self Employed Peopl

Statutory freelance/self-employment pay

Today, the Chancellor announced new financial support for people working on a self-employed or freelance basis.

• The government will pay self-employed people, who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus, a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last 3 years, up to £2,500 per month. Open for at least 3 months across the UK, and it will extend if necessary.
• You’ll be able to claim these grants and continue to do business. It’s covering the same amount of income as we are for furloughed employees, who also get a grant worth 80%.
• It’s only open to those with trading profits up to £50,000, who make a majority of their income from self-employment. To minimise fraud only those already in self-employment, who have a tax return for 2019 can apply.
• HMRC are working urgently, we expect people to access it no later than the beginning of June. If eligible, HMRC will contact you with an online form, they pay the grant straight to your bank account.
• To make sure no one who needs it misses out on support, anyone who missed the filing deadline in January, four weeks from today to submit their tax return.
• You can access the business interruption loans.
• Income tax payments due in July can be deferred to the end of Jan 2021.

Source: www.gov.uk

You can more about this in the full House of Commons publication here.

Advice for Freelance and Short Grooms

Horse care is essential, so you can still go about your work while adhering strongly to coronavirus safety rules

There is likely to be a growing need for Freelance Grooms and short term Grooms over the coming weeks and it’s important that you protect yourself and others around you at all times.

• Do not shake hands with anyone!
• Ensure you know where the facilities are to wash your hands and do it when you arrive at a yard and throughout your time with there.
• Wear gloves.
• Adhere to social distancing rules with everyone at all times – please do not think that being outside will give you any degree of immunity!
• Take care not to risk anything that could lead to placing additional strain on the emergency services and medical profession. If it isn’t essential, don’t do it.
• Keep hand sanitiser, hand wash, antisceptic hand wipes in your car, and remember to use them on your steering wheel, handles, buttons, handbrake, gear stick etc as well as your hands!

Financial Support for Freelance and Self Employed Peopl

Statutory freelance/self-employment pay

Today, the Chancellor announced new financial support for people working on a self-employed or freelance basis.

• The government will pay self-employed people, who have been adversely affected by the coronavirus, a taxable grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last 3 years, up to £2,500 per month. Open for at least 3 months across the UK, and it will extend if necessary.
• You’ll be able to claim these grants and continue to do business. It’s covering the same amount of income as we are for furloughed employees, who also get a grant worth 80%.
• It’s only open to those with trading profits up to £50,000, who make a majority of their income from self-employment. To minimise fraud only those already in self-employment, who have a tax return for 2019 can apply.
• HMRC are working urgently, we expect people to access it no later than the beginning of June. If eligible, HMRC will contact you with an online form, they pay the grant straight to your bank account.
• To make sure no one who needs it misses out on support, anyone who missed the filing deadline in January, four weeks from today to submit their tax return.
• You can access the business interruption loans.
• Income tax payments due in July can be deferred to the end of Jan 2021.

Source: www.gov.uk

You can more about this in the full House of Commons publication here.

Advice for Horse Owners

Currently, horse owners can still go to the yard each day to care for their horses.

• Consider carrying your horses passport with you when travelling to and from doing him/her. It could be useful should you be asked where you are going and why.
• Wherever possible, arrange with other horse owners to share the care of each other’s horses. For example, one person could do 2 or 3 horses in the morning, someone else do them in the evening and so on.
• Farriers, Vets, Feed Merchants and Pet Shops remain open and operating as “essential services”.
• ALWAYS observe the 2 metre+ social distancing rule everywhere you go and when dealing with service providers like Farriers, Vets, Delivery Drivers etc – please don’t think that being outdoors gives you any degree of immunity to coronavirus!
• It’s VITAL that you make a plan for your horse’s care in the event that you should become ill and unable to care for him/her yourself.
• Riding, hacking out, lunging and long-reining horses for exercise has, so far, not been restricted. Again, strongly adhere to the 2 metre+ social distancing rule while riding. However, the British Horse Society has issued the following advice:

“We are getting a lot of questions in relation to riding your horse, for which there are no specific government guidelines at present. We advise that it is not appropriate to put unnecessary pressure on the emergency services and everyone should make their own individual decision as to whether riding is necessary at this time.”

Follow statements and advice from the British Horse Society here.

What is “Social Distancing”?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the transmission of coronavirus

They are to:

1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.
2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible.
3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information.
4. Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.
5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.

The Government strongly advises you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:

• are over 70
• have an underlying health condition
• are pregnant

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

Source: www.gov.uk

Read more on Social Distancing on the Government website here.

Who are “Vulnerable People”

Vulnerable people have serious underlying health conditions which put them at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus.

People falling into this extremely vulnerable group include:

1. Solid organ transplant recipients.
2. People with specific cancers.
3. People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
4. People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
5. People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
6. Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

Shielding is for your personal protection. It is your choice to decide whether to follow the measures we advise. Individuals who have been given a prognosis of less than 6 months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision. We advise calling your GP or specialist to discuss this.

The NHS in England is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.

If you think you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people listed above and you have not received a letter by Sunday 29 March 2020 or been contacted by your GP, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.

Source: www.gov.uk

Read more on this on the government website here.

Further Help and Advice

Check the NHS website if you think you have symptoms – click here.

Download the Public Health England Coronavirus awareness poster for your workplace here.

Full guidance from the Government on staying safe and “social distancing” can be found here.

For advice from ACAS regarding coronavirus click here.

For information on Business Support from the Government click here.

The FEI have a news page on the latest coronavirus updates here.

For advice on how coronavirus is affective equestrian competition, visit the FEI website here.

Follow statements and advice on coronavirus from the British Horse Society here.

Follow statements and advice from the British Grooms Association here.

Follow statements and advice from the Equestrian Employers Association here.