This is advice to UNISON West Sussex members in the Children, Young People and Learning (CYPL) directorate who may work in WSCC teams which are required to work in the office or make face-to-face visits
We are hearing worrying reports of some staff being pressured to come into work when there is clear risk to their health or that of their family, and there is no up-to-date risk assessment in place.
UNISON is here to help you if you find yourself in that position. The following is the written advice, but members can call the UNISON West Sussex office or speak to their rep at any time for a discussion about their individual position.
Advice
The position for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) individuals is clear: they should now be working at home during the period of Second Lockdown.
The bulk of UNISON member concerns will most likely be around the Clinically Vulnerable (CV) group and those who live with people who are either CEV (LCEV) or CV (LCV) who are instructed to be at work as the business critical need cannot be performed remotely or there are CYPL requirements on face to face visits.
Where there is a concern for members in CV, LCEV and LCV groups:
- Get your individual risk assessment updated – risk assessments should now be reviewed;
- If concerned about the updated individual risk assessment not being suitable and sufficient and reducing the risk to you – challenge it and speak to UNISON;
- If you believe you belong in the CEV group or there are additional risks to you or someone you live with, speak to your GP and ask them to put you on the shielded list and provide a letter stating you should not attend the workplace. (if you are on the shielded list you are CEV and can work from home and be on full pay.)
- If your GP will not put you on the shielded list and you still believe after your risk assessment has been updated, that attending work is not safe, you should speak to the UNISON West Sussex branch and consider using a template letter we will provide you to withdraw from attending work and make yourself available to work from home instead. No member should submit the template letter until they have been advised by the branch.
All other individuals will be expected to be in the workplace if there is a business critical need subject to it being COVID Safe and having a risk assessment in place that mitigates risk from C-19.