Bargaining over workplace issues during the COVID-19 pandemic Bargaining over workplace issues during the COVID-19 pandemic Last updated 9 August 2021 1 Bargaining over workplace issues during the COVID-19 pandemic CONTENTS Working from home or in the workplace ........................................................................... 4 Returning to the workplace for some ............................................................................. 5 Combating stigma and discrimination ........................................................................... 6 Staff on furlough (the Job Retention Scheme) .................................................................. 8 Who can be furloughed? ............................................................................................... 8 How much pay will furloughed staff get? ..................................................................... 10 Who decides on furloughing staff? .............................................................................. 11 Considerations for negotiators concerning the Job Retention Scheme ...................... 11 Giving clarity to staff over COVID-19 related absence ................................................... 15 Staff who are self-isolating .......................................................................................... 16 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 22 Self-isolation support payments for people on low incomes – England, Scotland and Cymru/Wales ............................................................................................................... 23 COVID-19 related illness and sickness absence policies ........................................... 24 Long COVID ................................................................................................................ 25 Staff who had been working from home and the uncertainty of the post-lockdown world ........................................................................................................................................ 29 Key points for negotiations on hybrid and home working in the future ........................ 30 What should be considered when working from home?.............................................. 32 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 37 Pay and expenses whilst working from home ............................................................. 40 Bargaining over workplace issues during the COVID-19 pandemic Last updated 9 August 2021 1 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 45 Working safely in the normal workplace ......................................................................... 47 Hygiene regime ........................................................................................................... 49 Ventilation .................................................................................................................... 50 Social distancing and limiting face-to-face contact ...................................................... 51 Control of entry to the workplace ................................................................................. 52 What should the employer do if any staff test positive for COVID-19 ......................... 53 Testing, track and trace in the workplace .................................................................... 55 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 60 Vaccination in the workplace ....................................................................................... 60 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 65 Health and safety risk assessment checklist .................................................................. 66 Supporting workers who are reluctant to return to work because of health and safety concerns ......................................................................................................................... 70 What about ‘vulnerable’ workers? ................................................................................... 72 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 76 Disabled workers ......................................................................................................... 77 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 78 Black workers .............................................................................................................. 79 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 80 Pregnant workers ........................................................................................................ 81 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 84 Workers who live in the same household as a vulnerable person .............................. 85 Workers facing other issues that may impact on their work ........................................... 86 Unplanned caring responsibilities ................................................................................ 87 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 89 Mental health problems ............................................................................................... 90 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 93 Managing other health problems and impairments ..................................................... 95 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 96 Workers experiencing domestic abuse ....................................................................... 97 Quick checklist............................................................................................................. 98 Bereavement ............................................................................................................... 99 Bargaining over workplace issues during the COVID-19 pandemic Last updated 9 August 2021 2 Quick checklist........................................................................................................... 101 Establishing measures to deal with increased workload and staff shortages ............... 103 Redeployment of staff ................................................................................................... 105 Ensuring fair staff selection for redeployment ........................................................... 105 Protecting staff pay, terms and conditions ................................................................ 106 Assisting staff through the redeployment .................................................................. 106 Variation in the employment contract ........................................................................ 107 Secondment rather than redeployment ..................................................................... 108 Quick checklist........................................................................................................... 108 Dealing with disciplinary, capability and grievance procedures during the pandemic .. 110 Dealing with other types of virtual (online) meetings during the pandemic ............... 110 Annual leave issues ...................................................................................................... 112 Compelling staff to take annual leave ....................................................................... 112 Cancelling annual leave ............................................................................................ 112 What about workers on furlough? ............................................................................. 113 Right to carry-over annual leave to the following two years ...................................... 114 Travelling abroad and ‘quarantine’ or self-isolation on return ................................... 115 Responding to threats of redundancy ........................................................................... 117 Appendix 1 – Car parking charges for staff .................................................................. 121 Appendix 2 – Dealing with online (virtual) hearings ...................................................... 122 UNISON will seek to update this guidance as developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic unfold across the UK. If negotiators have any comments on this guidance that could be usefully incorporated in its next update, please contact Bargaining Support at [email protected] UNISON has produced a variety of guides for bargaining on behalf of members during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full range of guides are available online, including links to guidance specific to service groups, at www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work TUC help for union reps is available at www.tuc.org.uk/CoronavirusRepsGuide Bargaining over workplace issues during