Virgin ‘putting employees in danger’

Virgin Media has said it is taking all necessary precautions to protect staff after concerns were raised about workers installing products inside customers’ homes.

One engineer accused the telecommunications company of “putting its employees’ lives in danger” after workers were sent out to install television boxes and broadband modems in people’s homes despite the coronavirus lockdown.

A total of 1,228 people have died in the UK after contracting Covid-19 and 19,522 people have tested positive.

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people should only leave their homes when it is “absolutely necessary” for food, work, exercise and to help vulnerable people.

Under the Government guidelines, Virgin Media engineers have been classed as “key workers” as they carry out essential maintenance for internet and television services. But the company was accused of putting profit ahead of workers’ health by asking some to complete eight to ten installations a day.

One worker, who did not want to be identified, said: “Virgin are still making us do brand new installs. Every engineer in the country is kicking off about it.

“Their point of view is that they’re following the Government guidelines but they’re not. We’re giving someone a new service when they’ve already got broadband or a TV box with someone else. Normally people are only changing because they’re getting a better deal.

“We’re happy to do maintenance, of course, as that’s outside work so isn’t a problem, we just don’t want to go inside people’s homes.”

Virgin said staff only go inside properties where necessary and self-installation packs are sent to other customers.

It added that workers and customers are asked to adhere to social distancing guidelines during visits.