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Bosses are pushing their staff to get back to work because of confusion about Covid-19 restrictions, it was claimed today, 18 May.
Law Centre NI has seen a spike in calls from people unsure of their rights after the UK government diverged from Stormont on its advice to workers.
The organisation fears people are being pressured to return to their jobs against NI government guidance, which could have a “detrimental” effect on employees’ rights.
Overall the number of calls to their helpline have jumped 200 percent since the coronavirus crisis began.
Clare Coulter, an employment solicitor at the service, said she was getting calls every day from people concerned about being forced back to work, despite having to shield or care for children.
She added: “I’ve seen more employers thinking they can reopen when they shouldn’t and that has a knock on effect for everybody who’s been asked to return to work with [concerns about] shielding, the childcare situation, for health and safety.”
She urged people to keep up-to-date with government guidelines – which haven’t changed despite restrictions easing in England – and talk to their employer about their concerns.
She said they should also ask what health and safety measures have been put in place.
She added: “Quite often the employers don’t understand the guidance and it’s hard to work out whether they’re saying it to avoid the hassle of putting them on furlough.
“If they’re [employees] shielding, they are entitled to furlough.”
The service’s employment policy officer, Jack Gibson, said changes to guidance in England had muddied the waters for NI workers.
He said: “We continue have a real concern that workers are now more confused about their rights as a result of the UK Prime Minister’s statement on Sunday 10th May. We are also concerned that employers are starting to put additional pressure on their staff to return to work as a result.
“There is a real worry this is happening because employers in Northern Ireland are uncertain of the guidance in light of the Prime Minister’s statement.
“It is clear that both workers and employers are not always aware of the rules. We are very worried that this confusion is having a detrimental impact on workers’ rights at this time.”
Jessica Black, Local Democracy Reporter
