Delay in completing risk assessment

[Fiona1122]

I have CLL and are on watch and wait. I am due to return to work in a secondary school on 1/9. As yet have not recived my risk assessment. Draft was done on 17/7. I was told it was not ready as further information was needed to complete the draft. Since then heard nothing frm my employer despite emails. I have been advised by my union that as I am in a high risk group I need this assessment in place before I can go back to work. I was wondering if anyone else who works in an education setting is having the same issues?

[Poodle2]

I will follow up this thread Fiona if you don't mind. I'm having my blood test done this Friday and a phone appointment next week so I want to wait for my doctor to tell me what she feels I should/shouldn't do. I am a primary school teacher - although returning as a SENCO (maternity cover) for this academic year. I have not had any risk assessment as yet but I know my SLT are waiting to hear from me first - in regards to what my consultant will say. I will have my own office but the role includes lots of observations in and out of different classes and meeting outside agencies and parents ...not sure what's going to happen under the new circumstances - assuming zoom meetings will continue but don't know. It's certainly very scary and I try not to think about it too much at this point.

[Fiona1122 in reply to Poodle2]

Thanks for your reply I have had my blood done today and will have a telephone consultation next week. i intend to ask questions about my pending risk assessment with my Dr. When I go back to work, I will be assistant head of year9 (non teaching) My bubble with my assigned year group is 300 so like yourself I need to ensure school is Covid safe for me.

I hope your blood results are positive. Take care.

[MsLockYourPosts Passed Volunteer in reply to Fiona1122]

This is such a hard time for teachers. I'm so grateful to be retired, but feel for my friends - both teachers and parents. School in my town (Southern California) started today with distance learning. Everything is chaos! The internet was down yesterday, people have been placed incorrectly, but can't get through by phone or Internet to get things fixed. Parents are mad at teachers and admins. Teachers are fed up. Admins. Aren't making public statements about their feelings, but I'm sure most, if not all, are ready to head for the hills.

I read your date US style and thought that you would be distance learning also, then realized that you are in the U.K. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way for a safe and smooth reopening! Is distance learning an option for those who need it?

[bennevisplace in reply to Poodle2]

Poodle2, you say "I know my SLT are waiting to hear from me first - in regards to what my consultant will say" But regardless of that, if you are in England and have CLL you are classed as CEV - see my reply to Fiona1122. Your employer should be risk assessing your job with that in mind, not waiting for you.

If you are another part of the UK the waters are murkier.

[Poodle2 in reply to bennevisplace]

Thanks for your response! Absolutely, they will be risk assessing me regardless. What I meant is they want to know what my consultant will say - absolutely not safe to go back to work for you at this point, working from home or at least some days working from home to minimize the risk of exposure, use of PPE by myself and others. Teachers in general are not required to use PPE, shielding has officially stopped so you shouldn't expect to be allowed to work from home...they have been very supportive and I feel they will do their utmost to make sure I feel and am safe they just want to make sure they know exactly what my doctor thinks about my return - as I do - to he honest with you. The government are very good at giving out very last minute guidance on anything and everything - at least in education. I think they are doing the right thing in waiting to hear what my doctor thinks about my situation first and then taking it from there. I would not be happy if they risk assessed me without any input from my doctor. My local union rep has also been amazing I have to say. Just have to wait and see ...thanks for your response though, I appreciate your concern.

[bennevisplace]

Hi Fiona,

If you live in England and have CLL (whether on W&W, in treatment, or post treatment) official advice bloodcancer.org.uk/support-... is you are in the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) group. Scotland and Wales have a different take on W&W but you would still be Higher Risk (HR).

It is the legal responsibility of the employer to make the workplace safe for all and to risk assess each work situation. The Health and Safety Executive provides specific advice to employers about how to protect and support HR and CEV workers returning to work. hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/work...

Your union is right - before bringing you back to work your employer needs to have your risk assessment in place and to have discussed with you the arrangements to keep you safe in your job.

[Poodle2]

Hi Fiona, how are you? Have you had your risk assessment done? My deputy head contacted me on Friday and they have decided I would be working from home for now. We are having a zoom meeting next week to go through the arrangements and the role (SENCO) to see what can be done from home and what can't and to agree what to do (PPE etc.) in instances where I might be required to come in. They will reassess the situation on half termly basis. I am feeling relieved as I wasn't expecting that. My kids will resume school and nursery but at least one less thing to worry about. Hope you are happy with what your school is doing for you.

Petra

[Fiona1122 in reply to Poodle2]

Hi thanks for asking, my school did the draft RA on 9/7 with myself but I have only just recived it . They have told me as I am high risk I need to have an occuptional health assessment first. Although I was told by my school originally I did not need one. There is now guidance from my local authority which I sent to them whiich states that as long as school has put in the right safety guidelines those at risk can return back My school have not replied so it would appear I will have to wait for my OH to take place first. I am very disapointed as I so want to return to work. I have the support of my union but my school are not changing their decision. I hope I do not have to wait too long for my OH meeting to come through. I will let you know Thanks for your support.

[Poodle2 in reply to Fiona1122]

I was prepared to go back as long as it was safe as it would give me some sense of normality. I think it's probably easier for them to keep me working from home at the moment. My union rep spoke to me last week and apparently the advice from the union is to have the RA done and then approved by your GP. Strange they are bringing OH but I think at the end of the day - they want you to be safe and let's be honest - they also want to cover their backs. Good luck with it all.