Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Working from homeCoronavirusLatest NewsHealth and safety

Coronavirus outbreaks at DVLA a ‘scandal’

by Jo Faragher 25 Jan 2021
by Jo Faragher 25 Jan 2021 Reports suggest around 500 staff at DVLA in Swansea have contracted the virus since last March
Ben Birchall/PA Wire/PA Images
Reports suggest around 500 staff at DVLA in Swansea have contracted the virus since last March
Ben Birchall/PA Wire/PA Images

The PCS union has called for the government to intervene after repeated coronavirus outbreaks at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka described the situation for workers at the DVLA as a “scandal” after reports from members saying they were scared to enter the workplace.

Covid-safe workplaces

Coronavirus: Policy on safe working during Covid-19 pandemic

Top 10 Covid-related claims employers could face in 2021

The DVLA has about 6,000 staff based in Swansea but claims to be operating at reduced capacity, following government guidance to ensure its offices are Covid-secure.

Around 500 employees have contracted coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, and Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford had repeatedly raised concerns about case numbers.

Between September and December 2020, Public Health Wales said there had been 352 cases, with 62 cases identified in its call centre at the start of December. Office-based employees were offered testing in a bid to reduce transmission.

Wellbeing minister for Wales Eluned Morgan said the issues had come up “time and again” with local representatives and that there was concern around the pressure placed on employees to turn up to work.

Health minister Vaughan Gething told Radio Cymru: “We’re concerned about anecdotal reports we’ve heard from the trade union side, individuals, that all of the requirements weren’t being followed.”

A spokesperson said the nature of some roles required employees to be in the office due to the “essential nature of the public services we provide”.

Serwotka said: “Our members are telling us they are scared to enter the workplace for fear of catching Covid 19.

“Ministers must intervene and ensure DVLA are doing their utmost to enable staff to work from home and temporarily cease non-critical services.”

The PCS was one of the signatories on a letter last week sent to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which raised concerns about escalating levels of transmission on courts and tribunal buildings.

The union has called for courts, the DVLA and job centres to close.

Serwotka added: “At DVLA in Swansea we have dozens and dozens of Covid cases and yet ridiculously ministers and management still insist that the DVLA remains open.

“Sending thousands of people into work, putting them at risk is irresponsible. In the court service it seems that people are being put at risk more than anywhere else so we’re calling for all courts to close immediately and for our members to work safely at home.”

Employee relations opportunities on Personnel Today

Browse more Employee Relations jobs

Jo Faragher
Jo Faragher

Jo Faragher has been an employment and business journalist for 20 years. She regularly contributes to Personnel Today and writes features for a number of national business and membership magazines. She won the Willis Towers Watson HR journalist of the year award in 2015 and has been highly commended twice.

previous post
App aims to boost health and safety knowlege among migrant workers
next post
‘UK unemployment figures are missing at least 300,000 people’

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like

Hybrid working trends: ONS data on where people...

23 May 2022

Aspers casino cashier excluded by colleagues wins £75k...

23 May 2022

NHS should upskill admin staff to reduce waiting...

23 May 2022

Pay gap between CEOs and employees set to...

23 May 2022

Plan to enforce minimum service during rail strikes...

23 May 2022

‘It’s International HR Day – wait, you didn’t...

20 May 2022

Policeman dubbed ‘Dolly Parton’ for working Nine to...

20 May 2022

Adapt culture to hybrid work: do not force...

20 May 2022

Women in FTSE 350 leadership: ‘A lot of...

20 May 2022

City firms pledge to improve social mobility in...

20 May 2022
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more
  • What it really means to be mentally fit PROMOTED | What is mental fitness...Read more
  • How music can help to ease anxiety at work PROMOTED | A lot has happened since March 2020, hasn’t it?...Read more
  • Why now is the time to plug the unhealthy gap PROMOTED | We’ve all heard the term ‘health is wealth’...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today