Government Departments: Buildings

(asked on 11th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government Property Agency has made of the disproportionate effect on BAME employees of contracting covid-19 in requiring externally-contracted support staff return to work in multi-hub office locations.


Answered by
Chloe Smith Portrait
Chloe Smith
This question was answered on 19th June 2020

Government advice and guidance is clear that people should work from home wherever possible to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. Advice has been provided to departments on how to support all workers performing roles which require them to be in the workplace, in line with the government guidance on safer working during COVID-19. Assessments are being completed in line with relevant guidance.

The Government Property Agency is working with contractors to promote social distancing and to seek assurance from contractors that necessary mitigating measures are taken to manage identified risks, including in respect of PPE.

Staff - including ethnic minority individuals - are supported based on their particular circumstances and have the right to challenge a proposed return to the workplace if they have concerns. Contractors are completing individual discussions with staff that are deemed to be at greater risk, including where relevant BAME colleagues or those with declared underlying health conditions.

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