How to get employer to take this seriously

[workhelp19]

NC for this as I don't want the sack.

I work in a small call centre (apparently it's an essential service). Our office has had 2 confirmed Coronavirus cases (one of them being a death). Both times the office has been closed for a deep clean with the promise that we'll get to WFH soon but nothing ever comes of it and we're expected back in the office within a couple of days. The management have been working at home for weeks.

It's part of a huge company and none of the offices in England have closed, however, staff in Ireland have been WFH.

Is there anyone I can report this to? I have kids at home and I'm desperate to keep my family safe but I also can't not go into work for weeks and risk losing my job . I feel like they should be doing more to reduce the risk to the remaining staff.

That is shocking!

Can you wistleblow to anyone?

oh poop, with one death, I wouldn't go... I'll tell them, ask the government for my 80% and thank you very much

Are they enabling you to keep to social distance recommendations?

Are they providing facilities to ensure each station is cleaned between shifts?

And what about things like toilet door handles, can you clean them all down properly after use?

If not it's a health and safety issue that should be reported...possibly at council level first?

I’d take it to the papers. They might pick up the story off here.

@Hannah021 that's now how it works. You only get that if you would be laid off. Refusing to go into work is not the same.

Unfortunately the government have cocked up a bit on this one. They have just said not to go to work, work from home if possible. There's no real incentive at the moment for employers to let all staff WFH.

www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

My partner had to fight to be allowed to WFH and there are still loads of employees going in.

I'd name and shame anonymously especially if they're a large company.

Alternatively could you get your team together and take a united stance on this and arrange a neeting, even refuse to work if required. If will be harder to ignore you as a group.

Tbh, much as I feel for you, there are call centre staff all over the country who continue to go to work.

And sad and scary though it is, the person who died wasn't any more infectious than the other C-19 case.

The company is deep cleaning between each case. The best thing you can do to help yourselves is to try and sit 2m apart (your employer should help with this) and wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.