I would like to thank you for participating in the recent staff survey. Over, 850 responses were received which allows us to have confidence in understanding how you are feeling at the moment and the themes and issues needing to be addressed, ranging from on-going support whilst ‘living with Covid’ to selective returning to office and training facilities. Understandably, issues relating to mental and physical health were identified as well as concerns (and measures that would ease them) regarding returning to work accommodation.
Covid Staff Survey Report that includes raw tables from this survey, as I thought it important that you see the overall responses quickly as we have used them to develop our initial approach to selectively opening accommodation. There are clearly many more themes to address than accommodation, although this has some urgency as we open some facilities in line with Government’s guidance on easing lockdown. For example, Tameside, Trafford, Rochdale and Wigan are being reopened to a small number of colleagues to enable them to prepare for learners to return within the next fortnight.
Please note, however, that for the vast majority of colleagues who can work remotely, Government guidance is that this continues.
As we look forward to reopen I also wanted to share with you Our Guidance for Safely Returning to the Workplace which sets out our overall Approach; more detailed Back to Office Guidance; and Guidance for GC colleagues making visits to clients’ accommodation. Please take time to understand the measures that have been introduced and you will need to agree to comply with the new rules to access our offices and training centres. For colleagues who visit client premises also please ensure you are aware of the precautions you must take before a visit and discuss any concerns about visiting a third-party site with your manager.
GC Covid-19 Risk Assessment which is also available on our website to share with any visitors. I would like to reassure you that measures have been put in place to ensure your safety along with clients and visitors. In addition to the overall GC Risk Assessment, site-specific risk assessments are being conducted ahead of reopening, with control measures alongside reduced colleague presence including:
- Signage and workplace changes to enable social distancing
- Enhanced cleaning
- Safe queueing to enter the building to enable social distancing
- One-way systems at entry and exit points introduced where possible and necessary
- Removing sign-in systems and accepting visitors by appointment only
- Hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes available throughout
As this is an evolving situation, this guidance will be reviewed and updated in accordance with changes advised by the Government. It is therefore important that you to keep up to date with changes by reading our regular communications and version updates.
Finally, please also remember that it is now mandatory for anyone using public transport to wear a face covering. However, as previously stated in order to reduce the number of people using public transport and enable social distancing, colleagues should consider alternative travel arrangements if available, including driving, cycling or walking. Avoiding public transport at peak times will also help to reduce the number of passengers on individual services and enable social distancing.
Take care, and I hope you are able to take suitable and safe steps to re-starting some of the pre-Covid activity that you have missed.