Employer not putting in place CV19 precuations

TF03

Hi all, 
Just after some advice really on the situation below. 

My OH has been working in a vets practice for the last 3 years. To say it's been run by the owner haphazardly would be an understatement. Despite the best efforts of my OH and the handful of other staff the owner hasn't changed her ways or practices, many of which go against the RCVS standards (but that is a different story...)

Her boss and owner doesn't believe in CV19. Rather than put up information about staying safe she has put up print offs on why it's not real yadda yadda. Anyway, after returning from furlough back in June, my OH and the other staff have requested numerous times that cleaning procedures, social distancing measures and just general following covid-secure guidance be put in place but they have refused every time. Unfortunately the owner is also the lead vet, so she is at the practice every day and she refuses to wear a mask stating, it hurts her mouth (which isn't a medical condition). 
My OH is now feeling incredibly stressed and anxious about the situation especially as we have been helping her parents who have been shielding. My partners mother has just been diagnosed with cancer again which has obviously added to our stress and worry levels. She went into work today to ask her boss to please, at least where she can't social distance to wear a mask around her (as we will have to be involved in the care of her mother). Her boss flat out refused and said that if she doesn't like it, she can leave. She said that at the end of the day, she is lead vet which means if she can't work then the practice has to close. My OH said, you can work with me here, just wear a mask but again...the boss refused stating that she has to put herself first. Am I right in thinking that an employer has a duty of care to their staff! So it's not just all about them! 

Where do we stand with this? My OH doesn't want to lose her job, not in the current climate. But she feels like she'll have no choice. This can't be right? Her employer has never carried out a risk assessment and I mean...at all! Not even a general one and one for CV19 certainly hasn't been done. There are no protocols in place at all. 

My OH has recorded some of the conversations with her boss without telling her so we have a lot of this captured. I know that covert recording to be used as evidence is a bit of a grey area but even without that, the other members of staff would vouch for everything said. She didn't want to do that, but she just felt that she had no choice! 

Thanks in advance

Galloglass

Have a look at Constructive Dismissal. Check what the entitlement would be for pay in lieu of notice.
https://www.acas.org.uk/dismissals/constructive-dismissal
Note the comment about it being difficult to prove unless you go through the practice's formal grievance process [to allow the boss to change ....]

Grumpy_chap

As a veterinary practice, I assume the work place is open to the public.  Surprised none of them commented or chose to go elsewhere.  I wonder if the local authority environmental health department could pay a visit - maybe they will receive an anonymous tip.

[Deleted User]

The owner of the business can call the shots, it's her livelihood, it's all down to her; as she's not going to change her working practices it might be sensible for your wife/others to start looking for other work.

hb2

Gov.uk says 
"If your employer is not taking all practical steps to promote social distancing, you can report this to your local authority, or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE can require your employer to take additional steps where appropriate."

If the OP's wife believes that work practices are not up to standard, they should report this to RCVS (who also have coronavirus guidelines)
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/coronavirus-covid-19/

I'm guessing that pet owners don't see the conditions inside the practice at the moment as many vets are meeting the owners outside and taking the pet in for treatment, then handing the pet back to the owner outside.

prowla

[Deleted User] said:

The owner of the business can call the shots, it's her livelihood, it's all down to her; as she's not going to change her working practices it might be sensible for your wife/others to start looking for other work.

Not if she's breaking the law.

Dr_Crypto

Depends how you look at it. The ultimate sanction is the close down the practice meaning the wife needs another job.
If the staff are that bothered they should all threaten to leave which will have the same effect.
Doubt pet owners would care as I don’t think animals can be infected from humans but someone will know more.

CocoM2020

Dr_Crypto said:

Depends how you look at it. The ultimate sanction is the close down the practice meaning the wife needs another job.
If the staff are that bothered they should all threaten to leave which will have the same effect.
Doubt pet owners would care as I don’t think animals can be infected from humans but someone will know more.

Didn’t a dog die from Covid-19? Rare but pets can be infected with it but don’t know how or why?

simongregson

https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm
This is where you need to go
You are protected against detriment if you report unsafe conditions (or even walk out of work if the danger is imminent and serious - quite arguable that a disease that can cause death and the refusal to wear appropriate PPE and socially distance meets this criteria - look up section 44 of the health and safety at work act), but bear in mind that if your employer is content to flout health and safety rules they probably are also willing to risk dismissing someone and ignoring the law- you'd have to then take it to a tribunal but would have an excellent case. Your recordings will be good evidence if this happens,  if you are able to photograph the notices that coronavirus is not real even better.