State of work is scary and so far from guidelines

[DGH]

It just feels very contradictory

Want to go to the pub? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
want to go the cinema? you can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to the theatre? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to the gym? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to Ikea? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection

You are going to work in a dilapidated building, working in very close proximity to 100 other people, where no hand gel or anti bacterial wipes are available, where no special cleaning measures have been implemented, where you are lucky if the hot water is working in the toilets ? Yep, that’s absolutely fine.

Yes, it's extremely illogical and I confess I do struggle to see why we're not simply running a skeleton service with minimal staff.

However:

A mask's only really effective if it's fitted. NHS staff need appointments to get theirs fitted to their faces. Wearing a 'one size' mask is a decent idea if you have a cough already (in which case you should probably be isolating anyway), but otherwise is of very marginal benefit, and in many cases may actually be counter-productive (unless it's well-washed, of sufficient density to obstruct particles, etc etc)

Hand gel is in extremely short supply and RM can't source enough. For once, RM can't really be blamed for this.

[aiden01]

It just feels very contradictory

Want to go to the pub? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
want to go the cinema? you can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to the theatre? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to the gym? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection
Want to go to Ikea? You can’t, too high a risk of spreading the infection

You are going to work in a dilapidated building, working in very close proximity to 100 other people, where no hand gel or anti bacterial wipes are available, where no special cleaning measures have been implemented, where you are lucky if the hot water is working in the toilets ? Yep, that’s absolutely fine.

Yes, it's extremely illogical and I confess I do struggle to see why we're not simply running a skeleton service with minimal staff.

However:

A mask's only really effective if it's fitted. NHS staff need appointments to get theirs fitted to their faces. Wearing a 'one size' mask is a decent idea if you have a cough already (in which case you should probably be isolating anyway), but otherwise is of very marginal benefit, and in many cases may actually be counter-productive (unless it's well-washed, of sufficient density to obstruct particles, etc etc)

Hand gel is in extremely short supply and RM can't source enough. For once, RM can't really be blamed for this.

Well they can actually del office in derry walked out on thurs morning due to lack of hand sanitisers suddenly within a few minutes manager somehow found a few hundred bottles

[Chelseablue]

Weve not had a meeting in work about the virus etc , surely the way our company are putting us at risk warrants some q and a ? No hand gels sanitisers , wipes , huge amount of ppl together, hygiene not great in our tiny toilet . All we get is can you work youre day off next week , some ppl just see money even though its obv they have a bad cough etc. If you are a reserve /floater you are sharing a dirty van with 5 different ppl a week . This surely cant go on much longer .

[mybackhurts]

Royal mail and the cwu should hang their heads in shame, should be a Skeleton staff delivering parcels and specials etc at staggered times throughout the day and even the evenings

[SirCrim]

Weve not had a meeting in work about the virus etc , surely the way our company are putting us at risk warrants some q and a ? No hand gels sanitisers , wipes , huge amount of ppl together, hygiene not great in our tiny toilet . All we get is can you work youre day off next week , some ppl just see money even though its obv they have a bad cough etc. If you are a reserve /floater you are sharing a dirty van with 5 different ppl a week . This surely cant go on much longer .

I really hope not. Healthy people are dying all over the world from this and we are being offered up as an emergency service with zero regard for our safety. But I guess we'll just continue to shove dominos leaflets through everone's doors until something serious happens and they literally have no choice but to do something.

[Zicomurphy]

Put up on the noticeboard today was a print out of all the latest info on coronavirus with a list of Q and A’s. The general gist of it was that it all comes down to good hand hygiene and no other measures are really needed and that washing hands with soap and water is enough, and this is all based on the guidelines issued by Public Health England. I guess this is why the office rep told me there is nothing he can do as the DOM insists he is sticking to the guidelines.

[viking1488]

Put up on the noticeboard today was a print out of all the latest info on coronavirus with a list of Q and A’s. The general gist of it was that it all comes down to good hand hygiene and no other measures are really needed and that washing hands with soap and water is enough, and this is all based on the guidelines issued by Public Health England. I guess this is why the office rep told me there is nothing he can do as the DOM insists he is sticking to the guidelines.

what about social distancing we need to be 2 meters apart tell that to your DOM who insists he is sticking to the guidelines

[Gasman11]

Proximity to others, social distancing is just as important too. We're doing this when we knock on a customers door with a parcel, stepping back 2 metres etc but indoors in the DO we're all on top of each other. It is absolutely scandalous that no alternative plans have been put in place.

[viking1488]

Put up on the noticeboard today was a print out of all the latest info on coronavirus with a list of Q and A’s. The general gist of it was that it all comes down to good hand hygiene and no other measures are really needed and that washing hands with soap and water is enough, and this is all based on the guidelines issued by Public Health England. I guess this is why the office rep told me there is nothing he can do as the DOM insists he is sticking to the guidelines.

what about social distancing we need to be 2 meters apart tell that to your DOM who insists he is sticking to the guidelines

This guidance will assist employers, businesses and their staff in addressing coronavirus (COVID-19).

This guidance may be updated in line with the changing situation.
guidelines issued by Public Health England
It’s good practice for employers to:

keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in the workplace
ensure employees who are in a vulnerable group are strongly advised to follow social distancing guidance
make sure everyone’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date
make sure managers know how to spot symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and are clear on any relevant processes, for example sickness reporting and sick pay, and procedures in case someone in the workplace is potentially infected and needs to take the appropriate action
make sure there are places to wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and encourage everyone to do so regularly
provide hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them

[viking1488]

Put up on the noticeboard today was a print out of all the latest info on coronavirus with a list of Q and A’s. The general gist of it was that it all comes down to good hand hygiene and no other measures are really needed and that washing hands with soap and water is enough, and this is all based on the guidelines issued by Public Health England. I guess this is why the office rep told me there is nothing he can do as the DOM insists he is sticking to the guidelines.

what about social distancing we need to be 2 meters apart tell that to your DOM who insists he is sticking to the guidelines

This guidance will assist employers, businesses and their staff in addressing coronavirus (COVID-19).

This guidance may be updated in line with the changing situation.
guidelines issued by Public Health England
It’s good practice for employers to:

keep everyone updated on actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure in the workplace
ensure employees who are in a vulnerable group are strongly advised to follow social distancing guidance
make sure everyone’s contact numbers and emergency contact details are up to date
make sure managers know how to spot symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and are clear on any relevant processes, for example sickness reporting and sick pay, and procedures in case someone in the workplace is potentially infected and needs to take the appropriate action
make sure there are places to wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, and encourage everyone to do so regularly
provide hand sanitiser and tissues for staff, and encourage them to use them

so your dom is only following the guidelines he feels fit to follow

[Gasman11]

Those guidelines aren't fit for purpose then, how dare Royal Mail disregard the welfare of staff not in the vulnerable category, this is a disgrace, washing hands alone is not enough, safe distance measures should be afforded to all staff.

[NorthernPostman]

Not had a single briefing yet. 100+ staff DO

[viking1488]

Not had a single briefing yet. 100+ staff DO

that many people your asking for trouble stay safe

[SpacePhoenix]

safe distance measures should be afforded to all staff.

Might be workable in DOs, it's not workable in MCs

[sindba]

safe distance measures should be afforded to all staff.

Might be workable in DOs, it's not workable in MCs

Yes it is. It will just slow down the process ( a lot).

But so be it. Stay well.