Amid the confused messaging concerning vulnerable workers returning to work as the Covid-19 lockdown eases, Unite has produced detailed guidance to help ensure these workers return safely to the workplace.
An estimated 627,000 workers are deemed to be in the extremely vulnerable category. Recently, the government changed its advice to say that this group of workers no longer has to shield but should aim to return to the workplace.
However, with lockdown going on for longer than anticipated and local lockdowns emerging as a growing feature of the continued response to the virus, and with many workplaces without the necessary health and safety specialists, Unite has acted to provide clear information designed to reassure an uncertain workforce.
Unite’s new checklist is for use by its workplace reps as they assist members who have been shielding to safely return to work provided it is “Covid-secure”.
The union says that this is yet another example of the trade union movement acting proactively to support public health and the recovery of the economy in response to the pandemic.
Unite’s checklist advises reps to ensure that employers are consulting with union reps on all aspects of the work being undertaken by extremely vulnerable workers.
As part of the reassurance to vulnerable members returning to work, Unite’s reps will
- Ensure that the employer has undertaken a survey of the worker’s concerns
- Check that individual health assessments are being undertaken which take into account specific health issues as well as other factors such as weight, age, pregnancy and ethnic background
- Ensure workplace risk assessments are being undertaken and are adapted for extremely vulnerable workers
- Assess if working from home is a possibility
- Consider if redeployment is a possibility
- Ensure a suitable mental health support system is in place.
