Returning to a job where you can't socially distance?

n1guy

I work for a small manufacturing company, after the lockdown announcement myself and some colleagues kicked up a fuss, mainly because of the nature of our job you are unable to socially distance, I mean things like loading vans and lorries you are lifting with another guy less than a meter from you, there is no other way around it, then things like shared tools shared machinery etc. So the boss put us on Furlough for 3 weeks at 80% wages. So all off apart from the money grabbers who knew us being off would get them over time and more money, and while other every manufacturing company seems to be closed my boss saw the opportunity to snipe work off closed companies, so he is now sitting with a full order book.

So he phones yesterday, wants me back next week. The issue is the same problems remain and there is no way he will or can fix anything, its the nature of the job. So unsure what to do really. Go to work put myself at risk, refuse to go get the sack potentially. I also have asthma. SSP is not an option as it wouldn't even cover rent let alone anything else.

bap98189

Asthma is not a condition that is considered serious enough to require people to self-isolate. My OH has it and is still being required to attend work. People may disagree but that is the current government advice.

Most manufacturing companies are not closed. Millions of people are still going to work and it is not always possible to socially distance. I think that you already know the answer. Your choices are to go back or to be dismissed. You can request that reasonable steps are taken - in fact go one stage further and instigate them yourself. In our company people are doing things like wiping down tools with alcohol before using them, having hand sanitiser in their pocket at all times, washing their hands every 30 minutes, wearing a face mask if they absolutely have to work in close proximity for someone else. These are just a few suggestions that can help to minimise the chances of catching the virus.
 

Dox

See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance and read the section relating to Manufacturing and Processing Businesses. It isn't a perfect 'solution' by any stretch of the imagination, but  a combination of good sense and ensuring that you and your colleagues don't turn up for work if you are showing any possible symptoms of Covid19 will go a long way towards reducing the risk. Only you know whether it is a risk you are willing to take.

TELLIT01

One persons 'money grabber' is another persons individual doing their best to keep a company operating.  I certainly get the impression that some people simply see the current situation as a way to get an extended holiday on 80% pay.

n1guy

bap98189 said:

Asthma is not a condition that is considered serious enough to require people to self-isolate. My OH has it and is still being required to attend work. People may disagree but that is the current government advice.

Most manufacturing companies are not closed. Millions of people are still going to work and it is not always possible to socially distance. I think that you already know the answer. Your choices are to go back or to be dismissed. You can request that reasonable steps are taken - in fact go one stage further and instigate them yourself. In our company people are doing things like wiping down tools with alcohol before using them, having hand sanitiser in their pocket at all times, washing their hands every 30 minutes, wearing a face mask if they absolutely have to work in close proximity for someone else. These are just a few suggestions that can help to minimise the chances of catching the virus.
 

I received a letter from my doctor telling me to for 12 weeks, I can not afford to on SSP, simple as that.  Okay, I will rephrase that, all around here are closed bar my employer. I know this as I took a drive around on Tuesday to investigate while out getting shopping.
Yes It's one of them things where there are guidelines, yes but in reality, they are not practical.  When I left there was zero PPE, the response was he couldn't get any, it may be the case.  
The only real options are leave or suck it up.  Sadly I'm gonna have to suck it up.

n1guy

TELLIT01 said:

One persons 'money grabber' is another persons individual doing their best to keep a company operating.  I certainly get the impression that some people simply see the current situation as a way to get an extended holiday on 80% pay.

Please, do you think the individual involved gives a rat about the company? Its all about him. But thats what I love about MSE, everything gets twisted around regardless of the subject.

n1guy

Dox said:

See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance and read the section relating to Manufacturing and Processing Businesses. It isn't a perfect 'solution' by any stretch of the imagination, but  a combination of good sense and ensuring that you and your colleagues don't turn up for work if you are showing any possible symptoms of Covid19 will go a long way towards reducing the risk. Only you know whether it is a risk you are willing to take.

Thanks, yeah in an ideal world that would be followed and would be practical.  But anyway I kinda already knew there was nothing I could do about it.  Back next week regardless.

Woodbine

Courage is being scared to death. But saddling up anyway. 

Marvel1

What part of the UK are working?

As Wales have brought in a law for employers to ensure staff are kept 2m apart or face a fine.

ACG

Your employer has a legal obligation to keep you safe. 
They can insist you come in however and if you choose not to then it would be under SSP or using up holidays. 
https://www.hse.gov.uk/workers/employers.htm

Note the word "reasonable" - ie you can not demand you stay at home and get paid, but at the same time carrying on as normal does not seem reasonable. They need to do a risk assessment. I do sometimes think H&S can be a bit OTT and there should be more onus on the employee to just use common sense but in this case, I do think it needs to be raised, you cant easily avoid getting this virus if someone in the work place has it and is not showing symptoms. But there are things that can be done, ie maybe one person at each station, masks/glasses for when you do have to be in close proximity to someone. If they are not able to find ways to reduce the risk then I think you need to maybe put it in writing to them and you can draw on it should you need it down the line. 

On a side note, you can call your colleagues money grabbing but you do not know their financial position. It could be a case of 80% pay and they are not able to pay their bills. Your employer may not have a business and in turn could be putting people out of work if he does not open up. You are thinking about yourself and your health, which is spot on but everyone else is thinking about their own circumstances. 

suki1964

If as your name suggests you are in NI, these are our regulations

covid-19-safety-measures-advice-businesses