School cleaner says Highland Council forcing a choice between health and job
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A SCHOOL cleaner is worried that going back to work this week is putting people's health at risk.
Wishing to remain anonymous for fear of losing their job, the cleaner said Highland Council had instructed colleagues to clean empty schools.
Schools have been closed for several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The cleaner said: "We don't feel our school cleaning jobs at present are essential, not when the schools are closed and no-one is using said schools.
"They have already been cleaned well when schools in Highland were closed before the Easter holidays and so going into already clean schools to just turn up and brush over what has already been done seems irresponsible.
"I can understand if say the schools return after the summer break that we are asked to go in a week or so before to clean. This makes sense as the children will be returning. But not now.
"Cleaning at some of the hub schools is required and we understand this, but the majority of schools out there are not hubs.
"Myself and dozens – if not hundreds – of council employees that are school cleaners are feeling anxious, upset and let down that we are put in this position to choose between our health and the health of our families or going to work when the government is quite clear: unless your job is essential, then stay home."
A council spokeswoman said its cleaning and facilities management personnel play a key role in the measures it has put in place during the coronavirus pandemic to provide and maintain clean, sanitised and safe premises and environments.
"Cleaning and facilities management staff are part of one service and employees assist each other as required to enable the council to perform their duties to comply with HSE [Health and Safety Executive] regulations," she said.
"This will also allow the council buildings to be ready for re-occupancy when staff and schools return. Staffing required will continue to be monitored through this period of Covid-19 as health and safety of staffing is our primary objective.
"If staff have health conditions these should be raised with their managers.”
Staff at a number of workplaces have privately voiced similar concerns and questioned whether the work they are doing can be classed as "essential" during the public health crisis.
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