COVID -19 Domestic Rules

Housekeeping and childminding in a pandemic require a joint effort as we adapt to our new normal. Here are some guidelines on how to keep your household and domestic workers safe

At the time of writing this feature, Gauteng province was the COVID-19 epicentre in the country, with infections on an alarmingly continuous spike. This resulted in wearing a mask becoming compulsory by law. Now, with domestic workers having been allowed back at work from 1 June, everyone has the responsibility to make some changes.

AGENCIES

Thembi Hama owns Domestic Guardians, a Johannesburgbased domestic worker training and placement agency successful in placing housekeepers and nannies. With the staffing process involving interviewing prospective candidates before placement, she says telephonic interviews have replaced face-to-face ones. Employers also pay for their chosen helper to do the COVID -19 test before they can begin working.

“They then have to quarantine them while waiting for the results. We have had to reduce our fees to cater for the employer having to pay R850 for the test, to help meet them halfway so that the process becomes affordable. About 90% of the domestic workers we have placed have done the tests,” Hama says. She adds, “Our training now includes COVID -19 safety guidelines for domestic workers – social distancing, sanitising, wearing of masks and care for cloth ones, symptoms to look out for and what to do when experiencing them.”

CONTRACTS

The option for month-to-month contracts is on the rise as some employers are unsure of the prospects of their employment, and as some domestic workers, scared for their safety, would rather be home. Hama works with the Department of Labour Domestic Worker contract that gives provisions for sick leave, among other clauses. This contract leaves space for other issues such as medical aid or pension schemes to be negotiated between the parties.

Head of employment and benefits at Bowmans law firm Lusanda Raphulu reassures, however, that insurance considerations regarding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) remain the same. “Employers are required to register their domestic workers with the UIF. This will assist their employees if they are unable to work as a result of lockdown regulations or illness,” Raphulu says.

SAFETY FIRST

With the gradual easing of the lockdown, the focus has been on creating safe working environments for employees. But, the home as a place of business is influenced by the personal and intimate nature of domestic work. So, the responsibility to keep each other safe is heightened.

Employees are required to declare and confirm that they have not been exposed to or in contact with anyone that has had COVID-19, and that they’re not experiencing any symptoms. Equally, as the employer, you are responsible to let your domestic worker know if you have had any contact with the coronavirus so that they know not to come to work. You have to screen your employees for symptoms (cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, redness of the eyes, loss of sense of smell, body aches, vomiting and fatigue) when they report to work. You can get an infrared thermometer to screen for a rising temperature.

Raphulu notes that new regulations as of 12 July 2020 state that employers must provide every employee with face cloth masks, a homemade item or appropriate one that covers the nose and mouth while at the workplace.

“This is not limited to those coming into contact with the public on their way to work. In addition, an employer may not allow an employee to perform any duties or enter the premises if they are not wearing a face mask, homemade or appropriate item that covers both the mouth and nose while doing their work,” Raphulu adds.

TRAVEL

Many moms are choosing to drive their domestic helpers as much as possible to reduce anxiety and the risk of infection. Others are opting for live-in workers to reduce the travel. Additionally, the government has allowed taxis to operate at 100% capacity provided that drivers open windows for ventilation and passengers wear masks. Travel guidelines include the introduction of staggered work times to ensure that workers are travelling outside peak hours when public transport areas are congested, allowing them to arrive later and leave earlier.

HYGIENE

While you can practise some social distancing with your domestic worker, your nanny is not expected to do the same with your children. So, you have to amplify hygiene rules. Here are a few:

Wash hands regularly with soap or sanitisers, especially on arrival. Regularly clean and disinfect most-touched objects such as door handles, kitchen items, light switches and toys. Keep internal doors open to minimise touch.

Maintain good ventilation – keep the windows and doors open. ■