Hi all, I wonder if anyone can help me as I'm pretty worried!
I'm writing re my partner who works for a maintenence company, cleaning communal areas and flats - hoovering, mopping, polishing bannisters etc.
He has been self isolating due to a co worker having symptoms and is being asked when he will return to work as the company deem the work they do essential.He travels over the area in a van with coworker, and a 2m distance can't be observed. They have no hand sanitisers or access to hand washing facilities or toilets (public toilets would be what they have to use meaning they would need to go into supermarkets, shopping centres etc, which the government has advised should only be visited when necessary for supplies). They come into contact with urine, blood and vomit in communal areas which they have to clean with cold water which will not kill viruses, with no proper PPE. They are also coming into contact with residents.During discussions when the workforce pointed out the 2m distance can't be observed with workers travelling in vans and not being from the same household, they were advised that they could travel individually but meet at the site; again if heavy equipment needs to be moved a 2m gap isn't always possible to observe due to safe handling advice. My partner doesnt drive, therefore has been told there is no work for him since they can't comply with the government advice regarding the safe distancing. When he asked whether this meant he was out of a job, he was told no and just to keep claiming ssp! I would like to clarify so that he can have fully informed discussions with his management whether they should be applying for the 80% furlough advised by the government or whether his manager is correct that he should continue claiming statutory sick pay when he's not sick and not being laid off. As you can imagine £90 a week is not enough to live on, and is causing us a lot of worry. He's been in touch with the STUC and they have advised him to send an email to the director but that basically its not his fault he has no work and wasn't hired as a driver so he has a case.
So he's been texting back and forth with his manager about whether to go back out tomorrow and has been told its not ideal but that the risk is tiny as he will be facing a window in the van and now has a mask but that it's his choice. It's not really much of a choice, wages or ssp! Is there anyone who can advise if this employer is being reasonable? It's causing tension here as I'm working from home and staying in as much as possible and I'm terrified he's going to catch this going out to work. I'm so angry at his managers and the director who are so reluctant to offer any guidance and I feel are relying on the fact these guys are having to choose between paying thier bills and not!! I've said he should speak to hr and also ask his manager if a risk assessment has been done and noted in writing. Not sure what else to do as he fears they might just sack him if they feel he's making too much fuss!