At the daily Coronavirus briefing yesterday evening, the panel was asked what recourse employees have if they are being ‘dragged back’ to unsafe workplaces by ‘unscrupulous’ employers, and whether they can refuse to work.
Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, responded by saying that he believes only a small number of firms would fall into this category.
He said staff should firstly raise the issues with their employers or unions.
If they don’t get a satisfactory response employees should take then the matter up with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), or their local authorities.
The HSE’s Sarah Albon told the briefing that she is aware of a small number of firms, “not doing the right thing or not sure what the right thing is to do”.
She said the watchdog has enforcement powers and is prepared to use them if necessary, by bringing criminal prosecutions.
Sharma added, “Every single workplace has a duty to keep their employees safe.”
EYE has asked readers to let us know about their experiences of returning to the workplace, especially if they are concerned for their safety or that of their colleagues.
Section 44 of the 1996 Employment Rights Act Act enables employees to challenge the adequacy and the suitability of any safety arrangements at work without fear of losing their job, receiving a pay cut, or a demotion or transfer.
No agent is doing the right thing if an employee catches Covid-19 while at work?
Proving that may not be so simple but injury ‘Lawyer for you’ will have a good stab at it. I think this is a time bomb. When tragedy strikes some always like to start the blame game. What a mess.
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