I work in a primary school with 6yr olds, I’ve been shielding since 16th March but am due to return in just over a week. I’ve had no direct contact with the head teacher but have discovered, after reading an email sent to parents, that no one will be wearing a face covering or face shield!
I’m extremely anxious about my return as even though shielding apparently ended on 1st August, I have not yet ventured inside anywhere other than my own home.
Unfortunately I am not a member of a union, but was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice.
I am due my asthma review with the practice nurse tomorrow as unfortunately my hospital respiratory discharged me in June due to my asthma being well controlled at the moment and they’ve had the obvious recent increase in respiratory patients. I suffer from chronic cough which is understandably worse over the autumn and winter months. Another concern I have is my immunity being very poor after being isolated for almost 6 months and contracting all the usual ‘back to school ‘ bugs!
Any advice greatly received. X
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Cw70
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I would give your HT a ring. Explain your situation and ask if it is at all possible for you to wear a face shield. Using a shield will be less daunting for the children as they will still be able to see your face.
My experience with primary age children is they will be a bit curious as to why you are the only one wearing them, and then they will just accept ignore it.
If your HT refuses, then ask if you could be referred to OH. ( In my LA you could refer yourself, not sure if this is the case everywhere.)
Under the disabilities discrimination act, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to the work place.
Wearing a shield, is, I would think, a reasonable adjustment.
Another precaution I would take is to make sure all of your children wash their hands before entering the classroom ( under supervision) and have paper hankies on each desk, at your own expense if necessary.
Use of stickers on jumpers as a reward for complying with your Covid rules will also be useful. One, they encourage compliance and two, you can see at a glance who has washed their hands.
Hi, I really understand your feelings- I have been shielding too and am really anxious about returning. My school’s attitude seems to be that it’s business as usual and they are only paying lip service to making the school Covid secure.
As we are extremely vulnerable, our employers must do an individual risk assessment for us and make the necessary adjustments to keep us safe. I am also planning to wear a visor as social distancing is almost impossible, but when I asked school to provide this, I got no reply.
When I asked for hand sanitiser in my classroom, I was told that I would not receive any because there is a sink in my room. I was tempted to them that I would just have to sanitise the keyboard and mouse under hot soapy water! I also haven’t received my risk assessment yet.
It is a very difficult situation- please join a union as they will support you if your school doesn’t meet their responsibilities. Good luck!
Please don't approach this very common concern with a negative or defensive attitude. Your Head will be very aware of the need to make reasonable adjustments due to an employees vulnerability and all breads are being =very well prepared for the retune of staff who may have been shielding. You will n out b e the only person with this problem in a primary school and you may even have e. colleague who has been shielding which you are unaware of. Why not email her and ask for a Zoom/Teams call got discuss your return to work, You can mention that as you have been shielding you have some question that you would like to ask. That will give e the Head time to check out what she HAS to do by law and what additional adjustments may b e appropriate in your school. Be friendly and supportive - don't forget she may be very stressed and overwhelmed by everything she needs to be doing right now. Ask her what she thinks you can BOTh do to make your return workable and in the meantime start to take baby steps outside as `I amnestying doing... easy ones are just driving into town , parking and walking through without going into any shops, try a visit to a garden centre and an outside coffee. Its scary but the risk are low. Make sure she knows you are making efforts on your side. Im sure that you will be able to wear a mask or shield if it makes you feel safe but the best thing it to was hands and sanitise more frequently. Hope you get back to work . Font see the hospital dum ping you - you have well controlled asthma so they released you - congratulations!!!
Morning,
We know this country has been slow to react in many ways. Covid19 is airborne and a visor/shield will simply not protect you from smaller airborne droplets. Wear a mask because of your underlying condition and one which enables you to breath and filters the air.
Your safety is your prime concern.
Cite what other countries more successful are doing to contain the virus, and even now France who have suffered as much as us, is starting to advise office workers to wear masks.
The issue of air circulation in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation or air con that has been adapted with correct filtration to lessen the virus especially the winter months is the elephant in the room.
As others have said join a union and then speak with HR.
Hi you are very worried and won't be the only one. Speak to the head and HR re your concerns about your return without delay make sure you are comfortable with what's in place before you return. Your Gp will give you a fit note if your anxiety too much. My daughter is a teacher and is going back next week we have shielded like you since March and haven't left home, she has protected me as due to chest and other issues it would be a certain death sentence for me to get covid. She will be extra careful with hygiene and we will live as separate as we can when she's at home. She's terrified for me and me for her as she's not got the best immune system either but we have to try and get a little normality in our lives. It's a shame some folks out there can't think safe and spread this horrific virus. Take care make sure you're safe and protected in whatever you do.
Under current employment and discrimination laws you are entitled to an occupational health review which should be arranged by HR. Have a chat with your head teacher and explain that because you have severe asthma (NHS asked you to shield because of this) you are covered by the Equality Act 2010 (severe asthma is considered to be a disability for the purposes of the Act). As such your return to work should be assessed by an occupational health practitioner.
The review should consider the risks posed by Covid-19 in the workplace in light of your specific illness. The practioner will be able to recommend reasonable adjustments that are designed to minimise any risk that you will be exposed to. These recommendations should be made by the employer, if they are reasonable, as they have a legal duty of care for your health, safety and welfare in the workplace.
Local authorities will have their own occupational health services that the school can access.
Be aware that the school will have carried out a general risk assessment of the workplace. This is not an occupational health review - just in case the Head argues that the risk assessment is sufficient for you to return to work.
It may take a little time to arrange for the occupational health review (ideally the discussion should have happened earlier but the Head is responsible for knowing about Health and Safety and would have taken advise from HR).
There's nothing stopping you joining the union in order to seek advice and support. If you're lucky, your local rep may just have H&S training.
You have got lots of asthma tips from other people above so I won't add to that . But I would just say, as another teacher , joining a union/ professional association would be really recommended. Even if you don't end up needing them in this situation, in our job it's so important to have that support if (god forbid) there is ever an awkward situation with parents, kids, performance management issues etc. All the best with back to school!
I was not duly concerned about returning to a very part time job in a school office till I saw that documentary on TV last night re possible second wave of covid.
Am not in a union and need to try and hang onto this job for another2 years. Hubby has just commented from the depths of favourite arm chair'aint no use worrying about reaching 66 if you are dead!!!
Guess that puts it all into perspective!
Resp consultant has advised risk assessment as others have already said but left decision up to me.
Do hope you are able to work with your school and have a positive outcome.
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