As you are aware, the Scottish Government announced new restrictions across Scotland. As a Council and as an employer we are working to ensure that as many updates as possible are available.
To minimise the risk of spreading the virus, you must stay at home as much as possible. By law, in a level 4 area, you can only leave your home (or garden) for an essential purpose.
The extensive guidance is available on the Scottish Government Website [opens in a new window].
The start of the year is a good time to remind ourselves of the current guidance for Coronavirus and the mitigations that are in place and continue to apply throughout all our services. Highlights of the guidance have been provided below as a reminder of the measures we should all take.
All of our services and operational buildings have been risk assessed to make the workplace as COVID-safe as is reasonably practicable and minimise the risk to all staff from contracting COVID-19. Due to what we now know about the higher transmissibility of the new variant of coronavirus I would like to request that employees continue to follow these as strictly as possible.
- Self-isolate and book a test if you develop coronavirus symptoms.
- Keep 2 metres distance as much as possible and reduce the number of people you have contact with.
- Frequent and thorough hand washing including forearms or use sanitising gel.
- Wear a face covering or facemask when in enclosed or public spaces, providing direct care or in communal areas in workplaces such as corridors and staff kitchen.
- Catch and bin your sneezes and try not to touch your face with unwashed hands.
- Ventilate areas you occupy by opening windows and doors.
- Remind yourself how to put on and take off COVID-19 PPE with this video [opens in a new window] if you normally use PPE for your tasks
- Avoid sharing of items or car sharing.
- Clean as you go surfaces and items before and after use.
Working from Home
- Everyone who is able to work from home must continue do so. Management Teams will consider ways to minimise contact and attendance wherever possible. Any updates to working arrangements will be communicated locally.
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For employees who are shielding
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You should have received a shielding letter asking you to stay home. You may be able to continue to work from home however if this is not possible you should not come into work. Please follow the advice received in your shielding letter and minimise the instances where you have to leave your home and contact with other people out with your household. For more advice and information please visit the Shielding page on mygov.sco[opens in a new window]. |
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For employees who are pregnant
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All stages of pregnancy are classed as at-risk so it is particularly important to let your line manager and HR know about the pregnancy as soon as possible. All pregnant employees who have informed their manager and HR should already have a COVID-19 and pregnancy individual risk assessment in place. You should revisit this with your line manager and discuss adding enhanced measures, like ventilating your work area, cleaning surfaces more frequently and minimise contact with people as much as possible. Suitable alternative work or working arrangements, can also be considered depending on your specific workplace and role. You can continue work if the risk assessment advises that it is safe to do so taking account of Public Health Guidance. For further help and advice, contact HR. |
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For employees who have underlying health conditions
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You should have an existing individual risk assessment and this should be revisited in communication and engagement with your line manager. A review of this individual risk assessment will inform any adjustments required beyond those already in place. If you are an employee who has developed an underlying health condition over the recent weeks you must speak to your line manager urgently to begin the individual risk assessment process. |
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For employees living with a shielding child or family member |
You should have an existing individual risk assessment and this should be revisited in communication and engagement with your line manager. A review of this individual risk assessment will inform any adjustments required beyond those already in place. |
It is important that you speak to your line manager at any stage should you have concerns or contact the HR Team on the reporting line 0141 574 5535. If you are concerned and require Wellbeing support please make contact as soon as possible. You can also find many resources to support yourself and your family on the Employee Zone Wellbeing page.
Thanks for your ongoing support.
Ann Davie
Depute Chief Executive – Education, People & Business
8 January 2021