Concerns as KWL staff work despite coronavirus fears
COUNCIL HOME WORK CONTINUES
THE company that looks after Hull’s 26,000 council houses has been hit by coronavirus, raising concerns about workers visiting people’s homes to carry out repairs.
And worried staff claim they have been told to work as normal through the second lockdown and despite surging Covid rates in Hull being the worst in the country.
Other workers have also been told to return to KWL’S office despite being able to work from home during the crisis.
Hull City Council insists staff working for KWL, which carries out work on the city’s council homes, are required “to ensure essential and non-essential repair” in lockdown.
And they say there is no risk tenants.
But the Mail has been told a number of the 400 strong KWL workforce has been infected with Covid, or have been self-isolating during the recent Covid surge in Hull.
Other staff have been told to return to offices rather than work from home being told it is “safer than going to the shop once a week”.
A KWL insider said: “We have had a large number of positive cases within the workforce. Many of whom are going into Hull City Council tenants’ properties on a daily basis and carrying out work. There are operatives working in properties together rather than on their own.
“The managers are not supportive and people are encouraged to go into work regardless if they should be self-isolating or not.”
The worker also said there were concerns over vulnerable people who make up some of the KWL workforce including those who have suffered with cancer, older workers and those with diabetes.
A source said: “The office staff all have computers at home and have the ability to work from home, but senior managers seem to think they need to work in the office.
“Many KWL board members are members of Hull City Council and the fact that they want us to continue to work as though Covid-19 is not real, is disgusting.”
KWL’S board includes a number of Hull councillors, including Leanne to
Fudge, John Fareham, Aneesa Akbar, as well as deputy leader Daren Hale.
The worker added: “It’s embarrassing and irresponsible that we have not gone onto reduced work streams while we are in this lockdown.
“You only have to think at how many members of staff could be carrying the virus and the number of houses they go into each day.”
The source also said staff were getting abuse from members of the public because of the pressure of working during lockdown.
They said: “Many of the staff are not happy at work at the minute with abuse we get from tenants due to having to cancel jobs at short notice due to operatives having to self-isolate.
“We get no support from senior management and board members are supporting the decision to continue to work at all costs.”
A spokesperson
Council said KWL workers according guidance.
They said: “The council is required to deliver a repairs and maintenance service for tenants. The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government guidance to local authorities is to ensure essential and non-essential repairs, together with planned maintenance, inside and outside of the home, continues.
“The tradespeople that work in tenants’ properties do so in accordance with agreed safe working procedures. KWL office arrangements are also in accordance with guidelines, and the majority of staff are working from home.
“KWL maintains Covid-secure working environments and does not put employees, tenants or residents at risk while maintaining services during this very difficult period.” for Hull City staff were key to government