TUC raises “urgent concerns” over government’s back-to-work plans

• Union body says draft guidelines will not guarantee safe working 

• TUC calls for “binding new rules” for employers to publish risk assessments and action plans 

• Latest guidance is ”an open goal” for bad bosses, warns TUC 

The TUC has today (Monday) written to ministers to raise urgent concerns about the government’s back-to-work plans. 

The union body – which has seen the latest draft guidelines on exiting lockdown – says the proposed guidance places “no new” requirements on employers to keep workers safe at work. 

And the TUC warns there is no commitment from ministers to increase enforcement to stop companies from flouting the law and putting staff in danger. 

The TUC’s top concerns about the government’s back-to-work plans are: 

1. The lack of a binding requirement on employers to ensure safe working conditions. The guidance repeatedly suggests that “employers should consider” actions such as enabling social distancing or providing handwashing facilities, but also suggests individual employers can decide to ignore the suggestions.  

2. The lack of any recommendations on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The TUC says unions cannot be expected to support the guidance without knowing what the government is asking employers to consider in terms of workers’ use of PPE.  

3. The lack of any requirement on employers to publish their risk assessments, nor to agree them with recognised unions.  

4.The lack of any reference to the Health and Safety Executive’s existing powers, for example to issue prohibition notices, nor to workers’ existing rights to refuse to work in situations which present a serious and imminent danger to them.  

5.The lack of safe working requirements for vulnerable groups (for example pregnant women). The TUC says the guidance appears to suggest that pregnant women can be expected to work in unsafe environments, in violation of their existing rights under health and safety law.  

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“Throughout this crisis the TUC has sought to engage constructively with ministers. But we cannot support the government’s back-to-work plans as they stand. 

“We want new binding rules for employers to publish their risk assessment and action plan. We want clear guidance to set out the minimum standards that employers must meet in order to protect public safety. And we want ministers to outline a new tough approach to enforcement. 

“Unless the government significantly strengthens its plans, safe working will not be guaranteed. The current proposals fail to provide clear direction to those employers who want to act responsibly. And they are an open goal for rogue employers, who will cut corners and put their workers – and the wider community – at risk. 

“We urge ministers to work with the TUC and unions to ensure people can make a safe return to work.”