Over half (65%) of members felt they were sufficiently protected against catching Covid-19 if they needed to go back into the office or meet with clients, a social media survey of 139 Personal Financial Society members in July showed.

23 of the members surveyed (17%) said they felt partly protected from being exposed to Coronavirus while advising clients on their finances.

The remaining 9% of those polled said they did not know whether they felt at risk.

Keith Richards, chief executive of the Personal Finance Society, said the profession responded quickly and effectively to lockdown to ensure essential services and support for clients remained available but the recovery journey has started amidst uncertainty and therefore it is essential staff can have confidence that the transmission risk had been managed so that they could safely carry out their work.

He said: “Before re-opening offices, a Covid-19 risk assessment should have been carried out in line with HSE guidance and measures must be taken to manage the transmission risk. It is vital the results of this risk assessment are shared with the workforce – and clients – if they are to feel confident about their safety.

“I would urge anyone concerned about their safety to review the government’s Covid-19 guidelines and talk to their employer if they feel more could be done to keep them safe. Try to be constructive and explain what you need to happen so that you will feel safe at work as it is evident that firms are taking a flexible and considered approach.

“Many in the profession have proven that during these challenging times they can work as effectively from home as they do in the office but for those with tasks that must be done in the office, the risk of catching coronavirus can be reduced by travelling to work at quieter times of the day, reducing how much face-to-face contact they have with others and always maintaining social distancing.”