ALMOST two weeks into the coronavirus lockdown, people across Glasgow are adjusting to the new rules.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said businesses should only be operating if they are essential to the fight against coronavirus, such as providing medical and food supplies.

The “Clap for Carers” tribute on Thursday night shows how much the efforts of key workers are appreciated. But, in some industries, safety concerns are still being raised with the Glasgow Times. We asked firms who are still operating what they are doing to ensure their staff are protected.

Capita

GLASGOW MPs Alison Thewliss, Anne McLaughlin, Carol Monaghan, Chris Stephens and Stewart McDonald, as well as representatives of nearby constituencies, wrote to Capita, a multi-national outsourcing company, about concerns over safety at the firm’s offices in the city, including at the Skypark business centre.

They highlighted a number of safety issues raised by constituents, including staff who are displaying symptoms being told to carry on working and large groups gathering during their breaks.

A Capita spokeswoman said the Skypark office was now closed while “two other sites in the city remain open for only key workers delivering essential services”.

She added: “In those offices that remain open, we have put measures in place to enable social distancing and to support enhanced office hygiene.”

All Capita staff who aren’t key workers “as defined by the

government”, or “within an exceptional category of people providing other essential services”, are at home, she said.

Blochairn Market

CONCERNS have been raised about the continued operation of the wholesale market at Blochairn.

One source said “no one is keeping apart”, adding: “These people can’t go on like this, they will infect thousands of others if they catch the virus.”

But City Property, which runs the markets, said all traders are regularly reminded about their social distancing responsibilities, with daily inspections carried out. Two-metre gridlines are currently being painted on the ground.

The wholesale market is still open “as an essential service to provide supplies to the wider food chain”.

Virgin/Sitel

STAFF working for Virgin Media in Motherwell have been doing so without access to protective equipment and hand sanitiser, it has been claimed.

A family member of workers for outsourcing firm Sitel also said social distancing guidelines aren’t being followed.

Virgin Media said the government had classed its contact centre teams as key workers “supporting critical national infrastructure” and added it had “implemented social distancing and hygiene measures” across all sites. The spokesman said the company trusted third-party partners to deliver measures appropriately.

Sitel said the safety of staff was its number one priority and World Health Organisation guidelines are being followed. Precautions include social distancing, hygiene actions and rigorous cleaning, it says.

EE

WORKERS for EE are concerned about the company’s plan to re-open around 150 stores.

One said staff “deemed not key workers” will need to “leave their home and risk their lives”.

“This is being done without consultation and they will be retrained to do so,” they added.

But EE said it is “committed to keeping everyone connected, especially the most vulnerable, during this difficult time”.

The stores will not be open to the public, a spokesman said, but will allow staff to use in-store systems to provide online support.

“Social distancing will be in effect with the small teams and we’ve increased cleaning,” he added. The company has chosen to open “the safest options” of its 600 shops.

BT

BT has been criticised by staff who feel their job isn’t “critical” and therefore shouldn’t be carrying on as if it was “business as usual”.

One worker in the city, who said they have a sales role, claimed the company “obviously value profit over staff well-being as they are putting all staff at risk of catching or spreading the virus”.

They said: “We don’t produce food, we can’t deal with faults in the network and there is a designated team to help people with their bills and payments, which none in my centre are responsible for.”

A BT spokesman said its contact centre people are designated key workers to “help keep the country connected”, adding staff who were self-isolating were still being paid. “Those who can do their role from home are doing so,” he said.

The company has arranged work spaces at safe distances, follows hygiene measures and is providing free meals, the spokesman added.

He said: “We’re not making

outbound sales calls, but we do need to be on hand and ready to help our customers with things like service issues, speed upgrades to support home-working or sending out new equipment.”

Princes Soft Drinks

CONCERNS have also been raised about the Princes Soft Drinks factory on Bogmoor Road, which is still open.

One member of the public said: “All employees keep getting told is they are key workers. No they are not, they make juice.”

But Princes said: “Food and drink manufacturing employees have been designated as key workers by both the UK and Scottish governments.”

A spokesman said there has been “increased demand” for the products and the company is following government advice. “Our first priority is the well-being and safety of our colleagues,” he added.

The company has introduced social distancing measures, it says, and all staff who can work from home are doing so.

Sky

STAFF at Sky’s call centre at Alexandra Parade who self-isolate have been threatened with not being paid, it is claimed.

A relative of a worried worker said staff had “followed all advice from the government and it is still not good enough”.

"They are forcing staff who are unwell to come to work or face disciplinary action," they added.

But Sky say the claim isn't true and staff who are self-isolating will be paid for two weeks while those classed as vulnerable by the government are not expected to come into the office.

A company spokesman said: "At this difficult time it is critical we're able to keep people connected, online and informed with the latest news and information - so we are pleased the government recognises our contact centre staff and engineer as key workers.

"We are already complying with all government guidance and we are also taking extra steps to help keep our colleagues and customers safe, including providing thermometers and hand sanitiser, together with clear guidance on how to maintain social distancing."

Henry Winning and Co

HENRY Winning and Co, a twine factory based in Parkhead, are one of the companies still operating at this time.

A concerned member of the public claimed that staff were being forced to work and being disciplined if they refused to do so.

But the owner, Stuart Revill, has insisted that the business is essential as it makes twine for meat products and has been asked to stay open by customers.

Mr Revill explained: “We believe we have a job to do to supply the food industry with our products. If we don’t do this there will be no meat in the supermarkets.

“I can give you my word that we are not dragging anybody in and forcing them to work. We already have a high hygiene standard as we are making something that directly goes on to meat.”

Extra measures have also been put in place to prevent the spread of the disease. Staff are having their temperature taken as they enter the building in the morning. Gloves are offered and staff are being instructed to wash their hands.

Tea and lunch breaks have been split and smokers told to keep two metres apart when outside smoking.

Mr Revill has also stated that staff will not be disciplined if they choose not to work.

He added: “If employees choose not to come in, they can take annual or unpaid leave.”

Rullion Recruitment Agency

RULLION Recruitment Agency in Glasgow has been accused of paying off long-term workers due to the coronavirus, refusing to put them on furlough.

A concerned member of the public said: “This means they won’t get the 80 per cent of wages they are entitled to. The agency basically told them tough luck, even though the government is urging companies to put people on furlough rather than pay them off.”

Rullion has been asked for comment.

Thales Group

THALES Group, based at Linthouse Road in Glasgow, has been accused of making “non-key staff” work in its factory.

Thales is part of a global organisation serving aerospace, space, ground transportation, defence and security and digital security

organisations.

A source said: “Thales is adhering to distancing rules, has split shifts and has a cleaning crew in between shift changes, but these workers are not ‘key workers’.

“Workers are scared they will be sacked if they don’t go in. Others are using annual leave.”

Thales has stated online it is a key organisation and will remain in operation.

A statement on its website said: “To minimise the spread of the virus, the group is following the directives of the governments of its countries of operation, adapting its working practices in line with the recommendations of the health authorities, and instructing employees to work from home whenever possible.

“Thales plays a critical role in many fields, both civil and military, and the group is therefore making every possible effort, within the health authorities’ guidelines, to ensure the business continuity of its customers, many of which are also involved in fighting the epidemic and its negative effects.”

McGhee’s Bakery

MCGHEE’S Bakery, based in Maryhill, which makes bread along with other sweet treats, has been accused of putting workers at risk.

The firm’s American-style donuts are stocked at every Asda in Scotland and some in England.

A worried passer-by said: “They have workers working when the virus is at its peak.”

An online statement from McGhee’s states: “The well-being of our staff, the staff of our customers and suppliers is our top priority.

“Hence, we are specifying steps to be taken by employees and suppliers in order to protect our staff and our business against the impact of the coronavirus.

“We have a dedicated team in place to monitor the situation carefully as it develops, and to mitigate any potential impact on our customers, colleagues and suppliers.

“We have to continue to monitor and follow official guidance issued by the UK Government, Defra, the NHS and the Food Standards Agency. The health and well-being of our employees is our number one priority.

“If any employees are worried at all about their health, they should not come into work, they should inform a director and contact their GP or 111 if appropriate and seek medical advice.”

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