Company cleaners back 1st June?

concernedcleaner

Hi, we've been told by our employers tonight that we're expected to go back to work on 1st June, as cleaners are under the essential workers allowed to go back to work. Surely we don't know if, by then, we can go into our family and friends home, so surely it's not safe to go into customers homes? We work in groups of 2 or 3, from different households,  but it's suggested there's the driver, with a member of staff in the back seat, at the opposite side! This isn't a 2 metre distance.  Is this correct, safe and even essential work?  Any help appreciated. 
Thanks in advance 

Splatfoot

Do the customers even want you in their houses?

a_fierce_bad_rabbit

I have to make a journey soon with another individual in a small vehicle, so we plan on wearing masks and leaving windows open.
Not exactly a solution for you, seeing as this would be a regular Journey, but my main concern would be the houses. From what I’ve gleaned from recent info I would expect the rooms I’m working in to be very well ventilated prior to my arrival and for anyone in those households to declare if there are risks/infected persons.
Do your employers not have a plan of action regarding safety measures?

Jeremy535897

concernedcleaner said:

Hi, we've been told by our employers tonight that we're expected to go back to work on 1st June, as cleaners are under the essential workers allowed to go back to work. Surely we don't know if, by then, we can go into our family and friends home, so surely it's not safe to go into customers homes? We work in groups of 2 or 3, from different households,  but it's suggested there's the driver, with a member of staff in the back seat, at the opposite side! This isn't a 2 metre distance.  Is this correct, safe and even essential work?  Any help appreciated. 
Thanks in advance 

There appear to be some misunderstandings here. Employers are actively encouraged to get their businesses going, and there is a new concept of "critical workers", including cleaners, who are first on the list. Sharing cars with people who are not in your household is not permitted. The FAQs now say:

"Where work can only be done in the workplace, we have set out tailored guidelines for employers to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade or getting their business back up and running. We will be publishing even more detailed COVID-19 secure guidelines in the coming days, which has been developed in consultation with businesses and trades unions.

These ‘back to work’ guidelines apply to those in essential retail like:

• supermarkets
• those in construction and manufacturing
• those working in labs and research facilities
• those administering takeaways and deliveries at restaurants and cafes
• tradesmen, cleaners and others who work in people’s homes
• those who are facilitating trade or transport goods
• and so on"

concernedcleaner

Splatfoot said:

Do the customers even want you in their houses?

They are contacting our customers this week. The ones over 70 surely won't allow us in. I just don't think it's essential work, it's a luxury having a cleaning company in! 

concernedcleaner

a_fierce_bad_rabbit said:

I have to make a journey soon with another individual in a small vehicle, so we plan on wearing masks and leaving windows open.
Not exactly a solution for you, seeing as this would be a regular Journey, but my main concern would be the houses. From what I’ve gleaned from recent info I would expect the rooms I’m working in to be very well ventilated prior to my arrival and for anyone in those households to declare if there are risks/infected persons.
Do your employers not have a plan of action regarding safety measures?

We also have a small 3 door hatch back. We usually clean 3 or 4 houses per day, do in & out the car all day, travelling in between houses. 
There's no plan of action regarding our safety, we asked if they'd provide masks, but were told they weren't needed?  We're all feeling it's a bit soon, especially as, right now, we can't even go into our families houses. Unless that all changes before 1st June! But our employers are asking for an answer now, if we can work.  Few can't due to schools still closed, 

bradders1983

Is it not possible you could be cleaning commercial premises instead? I expect that is going to be in much higher demand than domestic cleaners over the coming months, for obvious reasons.

Thrugelmir

Work with your employer to find agreeable solutions to the challenges posed. Employers have a duty of care under Health and Safety law. No doubt there'll be a hot line to report deliquent employers. 
June 1st is some time away. The risk of infection hopefully will be greatly reduced by then. 

sharpe106

I doubt many customers would want a cleaner in. I am still paying my cleaner but don't want them to work.

Fire_Fox

concernedcleaner said:

a_fierce_bad_rabbit said:

I have to make a journey soon with another individual in a small vehicle, so we plan on wearing masks and leaving windows open.
Not exactly a solution for you, seeing as this would be a regular Journey, but my main concern would be the houses. From what I’ve gleaned from recent info I would expect the rooms I’m working in to be very well ventilated prior to my arrival and for anyone in those households to declare if there are risks/infected persons.
Do your employers not have a plan of action regarding safety measures?

We also have a small 3 door hatch back. We usually clean 3 or 4 houses per day, do in & out the car all day, travelling in between houses. 
There's no plan of action regarding our safety, we asked if they'd provide masks, but were told they weren't needed?  We're all feeling it's a bit soon, especially as, right now, we can't even go into our families houses. Unless that all changes before 1st June! But our employers are asking for an answer now, if we can work.  Few can't due to schools still closed, 

How are you being asked; by telephone, e-mail, letter?

Are you unwilling to go back to this work at the start of June, willing to go back to this work under your old conditions, willing to go back if ALL of the government's 'COVID-19 secure' guidelines are met, or something else? This is what you should communicate to your employer. There is no right or wrong answer here, just that it should be a clear answer, ideally in writing (e-mail is fine).

Jeremy535897 has shown you that your specific situation is being considered by the powers-that-be. Your employer has a legal responsibility to adhere to those 'COVID-19 secure' guidelines. If your employer does, the cleaning site should be a safer place to be than your family's homes. Well, unless you are going to visit family in your PPE, whilst the windows and doors are open, and they are in a different room to you!! 

If you agree now, with the clear condition that the 'COVID-19 secure' guidelines are met but then, on the day, your employer has not 'done their bit' you are within your rights to refuse to work.

NeilCr

The details are here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-distancing-in-the-workplace-during-coronavirus-covid-19-sector-guidance?utm_source=Housekeep+Members&utm_campaign=26e709a9ac-
b2c_la_mu_hn_ma_200506&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_774d52726a-26e709a9ac-218564113#history

My cleaner is returning next week. I have a bad back and it will be a boon for me to see her as she, obviously, hasn't been in since this all started  We spoke yesterday and she was pleased to be getting down to some work again. She said she was bored. We will both strictly adhere to the guidelines. I, usually, stay in one room while she is here, anyway, and just move when she needs to clean there. She does work on her own, though, which is different to the OP.