Advice on returning to work

[mazzadee]

Hi I am a teaching assistant who is classed as at risk. I have been put on the rota two days a week starting next week. We have received very little information about how the school will run beyond working in bubbles. I am struggling with feeling safe to return to work and wondered if anyone had knowledge of my rights in this situation. I want to return and to play my part but I am struggling to have confidence in my workplace being safe with such little information. If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful.

[aqualiv]

Extremely hard to socially distance as a teaching assistant
Can you voice your concerns to the head, see if you have options

[Guest]

Originally Posted by mazzadee

Hi I am a teaching assistant who is classed as at risk. I have been put on the rota two days a week starting next week. We have received very little information about how the school will run beyond working in bubbles. I am struggling with feeling safe to return to work and wondered if anyone had knowledge of my rights in this situation. I want to return and to play my part but I am struggling to have confidence in my workplace being safe with such little information. If anyone has any advice I would be very grateful.

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I am sure that safety has been considered, I would suggest you request a phone call prior to going back to ask about the measures.

Otherwise, I don’t think there would be any particular rights, it is reasonable for an employer to expect employees come to work. However perhaps you could ask about taking unpaid leave until such time as you feel more comfortable?

[JLH]

I think your school should have sent all staff a risk assessment-have you been asked to shield? I don’t think the staff at both my nursery and school that are shielding have been asked to come back .

[7SeasSailor]

Contact your union rep.

[Rac20]

You should definitely have been sent a risk assessment. Please check and ask for one if not.

[traceylou1972]

The DFe guidelines say if you are classed as shielding, a member of your household is shieding or you are in the vulnerable group you shouldn’t be in school. I would be ringing your HT as soon as possible.

[Eden]

At risk how?
Unless you are on the shielding register I think you are expected to return to work.
I'm a nurse, and staff with Asthma, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Over 60 etc have all still been working and expected to work

[srh]

Every LEA has their own risk assessment and advice and that is what you need to check.

I can only speak for my own LEA which advises that pregnant women with a heart condition or those that have received a letter stating that they are EXTREMELY (that’s important) vulnerable, should work remotely.

You should speak to your head teacher with your concerns and how you would suggest proceeding. You may be able to be in the school building doing work away from children and other adults, you may be able to work on given tasks remotely, or you may be able to take unpaid leave.

Good luck with however you proceed.

[disney1st timer]

My sister is a TA in a school of special needs children and has had to work this entire time even though she’s vulnerable. She contacted her union and there was nothing she could do.