Union’s warning as Jobcentre staff ‘do not feel safe’

MOST Jobcentre workers do not feel safe going into offices after they fully reopened last week, a union has said as it warned of industrial action over the issue.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said a survey of more than 1,000 of its members found about three in five feel unsafe, while another one in five are unsure about their safety because of continuing fears about the virus.

The union said most in-person interviews should be done remotely.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These results reflect the anger and frustration our members feel every day. Thousands of Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] staff have been providing support to claimants safely from home throughout the pandemic.

“The only logical reason they would insist on fully reopening is because of management’s obsession with sanctioning vulnerable claimants. These stats show how staff feel and should send a strong signal to ministers that they need to urgently meet the union to avoid potential industrial action.”

A DWP spokesman said: “We take the health and safety of colleagues extremely seriously and are absolutely committed to ensuring all our sites remain Covid-secure in line with Public Health England and Government guidance to keep colleagues and customers safe.”