9% of employees required to work despite having covid symptoms
Posted on 16th July 2022 at 21:39
A recent survey by the Trade Union Congress found that 9% of workers with covid symptoms have been pressured to come to work, and 10% have been expected to work alongside colleagues who have tested positive.
This comes at a time when covid rates are surging, with over 2 million people in England estimated to have covid at the end of June.
Earlier this year, the government lifted all remaining restrictions. There is no longer a legal requirement to self isolate, and employers don’t have to provide a specific covid risk assessment. Instead the government has issued public guidance recommending 5 days self isolation.
Have you recently been to any large events with friends and know someone who caught it there?
However, the removal of freely available covid tests has made it difficult for people to know whether they have covid or some other illness. The current cost of living crisis combined with the low rates of statutory sick pay, has meant that many people can’t afford to isolate. Unsurprisingly the TUC survey found that just 29% of workers felt safe going to work.
What steps can businesses take to reduce the risk of covid? At Duchess HR, we recommend providing covid tests to employees and requiring them to work from home or take sick leave if they test positive. Taking practical steps like increasing ventilation and reinstating some social distancing policies will also help.
Get yourself a consultant that can help you to manage the risk of covid in your workplace.
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