Vivid Housing threaten staff with disciplinary action over social distancing on Workers' Memorial Day
"Vivid is flexing disciplinary powers when simple risk assessments and words of advice and support could be used," says GMB Union
GMB has criticised Vivid Housing for threatening workers with disciplinary action after they raised concerns about social distancing
Trades people working for Vivid - the Housing Association covering Portsmouth, Eastleigh, Aldershot and Basingstoke - are being told to carry on with servicing and other job, despite the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) confirming the work could be placed on hold.
Employees are even forced to hide in their vans to use makeshift toilets as they have neither the on-site nor local support network needed.
GMB has now raised the issues with the Health and Safety Executive.
Employees say management won’t reply to operatives’ concerns via email. This has led to several employees exercising their right to withdraw themselves from what they consider to be dangerous working conditions.
They have now been threatened with disciplinary proceedings.
Adrian Baker, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “It is wholly understandable that any individual will place their own health and safety and that of their family above any unnecessary or unsafe practice.
“Vivid has chosen to flex their disciplinary powers over their employees when simple risk assessments and words of advice and support could be used.
“The fact that this happened on International Workers Day to boot is just inflammatory.
"Why Vivid is pushing ahead with unnecessary works and placing both them and residents at potential risk?
“GMB is in the process of writing to all members giving a specific risk assessment and Covid-19 concern log, so that all necessary detail can be held, should the worst-case scenario arise as a result of Vivid’s practices.”
Media enquiries: Adrian Baker on 07841 071 849 or GMB Press Office on 07958 156846 or at press.office@gmb.org.uk
