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Advice for Members in Northern Ireland

Last Updated:  31 January 2022

As a response to the rising COVID cases, new regulations have been announced for people in Northern Ireland. More information on what the current guidance means for you can be found here.

Going to Work

In Northern Ireland people are advised to continue to work from home where possible.

Employers that require staff to come into the workplace must complete a mandatory risk assessment.

We recognise that the majority of Union members have continued to attend the workplace throughout the pandemic and the Union would expect the safety measures already in place to be maintained. Please speak to your Rep or Union Official if you have any concerns about health and safety in your workplace.

Social Distancing and Face Coverings

In Northern Ireland, face coverings are a legal requirement in all indoor settings. This includes shops, shopping centres and public transport. The guidance on face coverings provides more information on this issue.
 
Employers have been asked to reinforce this message and make it clear to the public/customers that this is a legal requirement. However, Usdaw is clear that staff should not be asked or expected to challenge customers over not wearing a mask; this should be done through other methods such as signage and the use of trained security staff. 
 
The administration have re-introduced the exemption for people who are classed as having a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability which results in a person not being able to wear a mask without experiencing severe distress.

There is a legal requirement for businesses to ensure 2m (6ft) social distancing in the workplace, and where this cannot be achieved, to provide other mitigations such as screens at tills and counters and extra hygiene facilities.

Booster Jabs

Usdaw has been working with employers throughout the vaccine rollout to support members in getting vaccinated. We continue to negotiate with employers to ensure they provide appropriate support to ensure people can attend vaccination appointments. The Union is encouraging eligible members to get their booster jabs as soon as possible.

Advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable

While shielding advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people in Northern Ireland has ended, if you’re ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ or ‘vulnerable’ you are still advised to take extra precautions. Guidance for ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and ‘vulnerable’ people in Northern Ireland is available here.

Members who are clinically extremely vulnerable and concerned about any risks in their workplaces should speak with their Union Rep or Official.

Pregnant Employees

Employers have particular responsibilities towards workers who are new mothers or pregnant women. Members who are pregnant and concerned about any risks in their workplaces should speak with their Union Rep or Official.

Self-Isolation

From 31 December, individuals testing positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 7 days. On day 6 of your self-isolation period you should take a lateral flow tes and another test 24 hours later.

From 5 January, if you are not showing any symptoms and get a positive rapid lateral flow test result, you should isolate immediately. You no longer need to book a PCR test.

If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18, you are advised to isolate and take a lateral flow  test as soon as possible. If this is negative, you can stop isolating but should continue to take daily lateral flow tests until the 10th day after the last date of contact with the positive case. Unvaccinated individuals identified as close contact must isolate for 10 days.

Childcare and Schools

With some rules around self-isolation remaining in place, most working parents still face the challenge of balancing work and childcare. If you need to keep your child at home in line with public health advice to self-isolate, this may affect your ability to attend work due to the need to provide childcare. In these circumstances working parents have the following options:

 

  • Talk to your manager – in many companies the Union has agreed how working parents will be supported during the pandemic. This could mean changing the hours, days or times of day you work. It might mean using annual leave if you have leave available. Some companies are offering unpaid leave although the Union is clear that this is not a realistic option for many low paid families. We will continue to push both employers and the Government to financially support working parents during this time.

  • Talk to your Usdaw Rep or full time official – the Union has been working hard to encourage employers to support parents and while many are doing this some of our members are not getting the support they need. If you require support in discussions with your employer on this, please contact your in-store Usdaw Rep, or call your local Usdaw office.

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