Last Updated:  20 January 2022

From 26 January, the Scottish Government will lift restrictions implemented in December as a response to the Omicron variant.

Going to Work
 
In Scotland people are advised to still continue to work from home where possible. 
 
We recognise that the majority of Union members cannot work from home and the Union would expect the safety measures already in place to be maintained. The Government are also advising employees to test regularly.
 
 Please speak to your Rep or Union Official if you have any concerns about health and safety in your workplace.

Safer Businesses and Workplaces Guidance
 
All businesses and workplaces should follow the safer businesses and workplaces guidance. This replaces most of the previous sector-specific guidance.
 
While there is distinct and additional guidance for some industries/workplaces, this guidance should be applied across all Usdaw workplace settings.

Face coverings
 
In Scotland face coverings are still mandatory in most indoor public places, including shops, workplaces and on public transport. This includes any indoor communal area in a workplace and where there are no measures in place to keep people separated by either a partition or distance of at least 1 metre. The face coverings guidance provides further advice on how this should be applied in the workplace.

Social Distancing and Precautionary Measures
 
From 26 January, the one metre social distancing rule in Scotland will be removed. Other precautionary measures still remain in place along with guidance on ventilation and hand hygiene.
 
The Union still expects employers to maintain social distancing measures, such as physical distancing markers/screens at tills and counters to protect staff.

Advice for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. 
 
Scotland has extra guidance and advice for people at the highest risk from Coronavirus (people previously on the shielding list). Advice to help people at the highest risk make informed decisions and access support services is available here.
 
Members who are at highest risk and concerned about any risks in their workplaces should speak with their Union Rep or Official.
 
Pregnant Employees
 
Employers have particular responsibilities towards workers who are new mothers or pregnant women. Members who are pregnant and concerned about any risks in their workplaces should speak with their Union Rep or Official.
 
Self-Isolation
 
If you are identified as a household contact of someone who has tested positive, you are advised to self-isolate for ten days, irrespective of age, vaccine status or PCR test result.
 
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 (even if they are double vaccinated) or are partially or non-vaccinated are required to self-isolate for ten days.

Other rules on self-isolation vary according to an individual’s vaccine status, age and level of contact. Full details are available here.

It is illegal to knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work. This remains the law, regardless of your vaccination status.
 
If you have any concerns regarding how the guidance on self-isolation is being applied in your workplace, please speak to your Rep or Union Official.

Meeting others
 
The guidance to reduce social interaction at home or in indoor public places to a maximum of three households at any time will also lift by 26 January. The public are still encouraged to take a lateral flow test before meeting.

Childcare
 
In light of the rules around self-isolation, some working parents may face the challenge of balancing work and childcare. If you need to keep your child at home in line with public health advice to self-isolate, this may affect your ability to attend work due to the need to provide childcare. In these circumstances working parents have the following options:
 

• Talk to your manager – in many companies the Union has agreed how working parents will be supported during the pandemic. This could mean changing the hours, days or times of day you work. It might mean using annual leave if you have leave available. Some companies are offering unpaid leave although the Union is clear that this is not a realistic option for many low paid families. We will continue to push both employers and the Government to financially support working parents during this time.
• Talk to your Usdaw Rep or full time official – the Union has been working hard to encourage employers to support parents and while many are doing this some of our members are not getting the support they need. If you require support in discussions with your employer on this, please contact your in-store Usdaw Rep, or call your local Usdaw office.