Fórsa this week published new guidance for health staff and other workers who are working in, or could be asked to work in, environments where there is a higher-than-average risk of contracting the coronavirus.

The union, which represents workers across the civil, public, private, voluntary and semi-state sectors, is committed to co-operating with emergency measures to contain the virus, protect citizens and workers, and maintain essential services during the unprecedented public health emergency.

And its general secretary Kevin Callinan said that Fórsa members had shown a determination to co-operate with efforts to beat the virus and protect and care for citizens.

“All of us are hugely grateful to the large number of workers in various sectors whose jobs mean they are – or could be – in contact with people who have the virus. We appreciate that this puts them at higher risk than most, and we value and admire the exceptional contribution they’re making in this crisis.

“Now we want management in the HSE and elsewhere to underline their safety commitments to staff who must work in environments of heightened risk with regard to Covid-19,” he said.

The union has sought the following commitments:

1. Volunteers should be sought for higher-risk tasks and work areas wherever possible
2. For the protection of patients, clients, the public and workers themselves, staff must have the training and qualifications required to undertake their allocated tasks and functions safely and effectively
3. Adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and training in the use and disposal of PPE, should be provided, along with any other necessary supports (eg, mental health support) that can reasonably be expected
4. The individual family circumstances of staff should be taken into account when people are being allocated to higher-risk tasks and functions. In particular, those living with – or whose caring responsibilities demand contact with – elderly and other high-risk groups should not be obliged to work in high-risk areas except in very exceptional circumstances, and
5. Wherever possible, such workers should also receive other practical supports from their employer, including childcare supports
6. There will be equity in the application of these criteria.

Kevin said the union’s new advice was not a criticism of public service managers. But he said fresh, clear and public reassurance would bolster staff commitment and morale as the country enters the next phase of the corona crisis.

“From the outset, Fórsa has advised its members to co-operate with all necessary measures, including some that might not be acceptable in normal times. Sometimes this will mean doing different things, in different ways, at different times – including being temporarily reassigned to different tasks and organisations,” he said.

Fórsa officials will be raising the union’s new stance with employers across the civil and public service.

Read Fórsa’s new advice HERE.

Fórsa has sought an HSE commitment that adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to staff who need it, and that workers will get proper training in its use and disposal. 

In new advice to members, the union has also urged them to ensure they’re appropriately trained in the use of any PPE they need, and have proper protections before working in high-risk environments.

Also this week, the HSE has produced videos on the use of PPE, which you can watch HERE, aimed at those working in acute hospitals.

The health service has also released education modules for staff, explaining how to put on and take off PPE safely. To complete these modules, workers can search ‘putting on and taking off PPE in acute healthcare settings/in community healthcare settings.’

The HSE has moved to ensure much more adequate supplies of PPE following fairly widespread shortages at the outset of the crisis.

It says that concerns about standards in some items recently delivered from China were mostly related to familiarity with the equipment. 

For instance, according to Professor Martin Cormican the delivery included cover-all suits rather than the gowns usually used by Irish health workers. He said these were perfectly safe and usable once proper training was given.

Other items, dubbed ‘passable but not preferred,’ are only being used where the first choice of equipment is unavailable. These items still offer a substantial degree of protection and will keep contamination off the person’s body.

The HSE is also stressing that PPE should only be used when it’s likely to be beneficial. Otherwise stocks will be depleted with no additional safety benefits.

The HSE has also secured a secondary line of supply to ensure alternative products are available if and when needed.

For more information, click HERE.

Fórsa has won agreement that agency staff working in the HSE and voluntary hospitals will be paid their basic weekly salary and fixed allowances if they contract the virus or have coronavirus-related medical advice that they should self-isolate.

The move effectively brings the treatment of agency staff in line with that in place for directly-employed HSE staff for the period of the public health crisis.

Those who work less than the standard working week will be paid on the basis of their average normal hours in the eight-week period prior to their self-isolation or Covid-19 illness.

The payments will continue for the entire period of any Covid-related illness or self-isolation even if the agency workers’ period ends prior to that.

Any entitlement to State virus-related illness benefit will be deducted from any payments. HSE guidance says it’s up to the agency to inform their workers about State benefit entitlements.

Read the HSE circular HERE.

Health staff will be able to carry over annual leave if they couldn’t take it prior to 31^st March because of the Covid-19 crisis. The measure was agreed after Fórsa raised the issue with national HSE management.

In a letter to HR managers, the HSE says they can waive local arrangements for the carry-over of annual leave if necessary. It says leave carried over should be taken when it’s practical to do so.

The letter also says that all staff should be able to take the statutory minimum amount of leave in any annual leave year.

Separately, the HSE has also confirmed that overtime and premium rates will apply when staff are asked to work beyond their full time weekly hours. This came after the union sought confirmation that overtime would be paid. You can get the details HERE.

Fórsa has launched a social media campaign to highlight the work of members who are part of the public service-wide effort to tackle Covid-19.

Hidden Heroes focuses on individual members, their grade and current programme of work, illustrating the wide variety of skills and duties necessary to address the current health crisis.

On Tuesday (7^th April), Fórsa posted the first in the Hidden Heroes series of social media posts, looking at the work of clinical biochemist Neda Sharifi , and Leo Whelan in hospital stores in Carlow/Kilkenny  featured yesterday (Wednesday).

Today we featured the work of Sandra Harkin in accounts payable. The union will publish a new story each day.

Fórsa lead organiser Kevin Donoghue, who is conducting a series of short interviews with members for the campaign, explained: “We wanted to celebrate the diverse community of Fórsa members mobilising to fight the virus. Fórsa is unique in that we represent people in so many different grades and sectors involved in the Covid-19 response.

“There is a tendency to think only of doctors, nurses and other medical staff, those we describe as ‘frontline’ workers in this context. They’re doing incredible work and it’s great to see their message - that all of us have individual responsibilities to stop the spread of Covid-19 – getting such a positive response nationwide.

“Our campaign is designed to complement that effort and that message. To show that those frontline workers aren’t alone, that there is a huge community of workers performing vital tasks, working in different ways and in different contexts to how they would usually work, and that each one of them is helping to make a difference,” he said.

Kevin is continuing to talk to members in local government, civil service, education, health and other sectors about their current programme of work in response to Covid-19. If you would like to take part in the campaign, please get in touch via the links below.

Get involved – tell us your story

Tell us about your Covid-19 work for the Hidden Heroes campaign. Have you been reassigned? Are you working remotely? Please get in touch.

Contact Kevin Donoghue HERE  or Niall Shanahan HERE with your contact details.

Fórsa has updated its advice on coronavirus-related work issues for health workers and staff in the wider public service. The advice covers attendance at work (including for pregnant workers and those with health vulnerabilities), salary protections for those self-isolating, temporary staff transfers, childcare and more. Read it HERE.

Fórsa is here to protect you if you have problems arising from the coronavirus or other workplace issues. The best way to contact the union at this time is HERE.

We will deal with queries as quickly as we can but, needless to say, the union will prioritise cases where members’ jobs and incomes are at immediate risk – as well as any serious health and safety issues that may arise.

Fórsa has cancelled all face-to-face meetings for the time being. The union is redeploying its staff to prioritise engagement with management on proposals arising from the Covid-19 public health crisis, and to provide rapid and efficient responses to members’ queries and concerns.

Fórsa's main phone line (01 817 1500) is now open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Alternatively members can use the Contact Us page on the Fórsa website to submit queries directly to the relevant division within Fórsa and this remains the most efficient way to access advice directly.

Wherever possible, Fórsa staff have been equipped to work remotely. Therefore, members should not attend Fórsa offices at this time. If you have a query or concern, the best way to raise it is to contact the union HERE.

Flexitime arrangements are to be temporarily suspended across the civil and public service as part of its response to the coronavirus crisis. But balances already accrued by staff will remain in place and can be used once normal working arrangements are back in place.

In fact, flexitime has already either formally or effectively been suspended in the majority of public service employments where it was in place. These include the HSE, major civil service departments including social protection, and a number of local authorities.

The change, which is outlined in revised Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) guidance to employers published today (9^th April), acknowledges the radical new ways of working that have been increased across the public service.

It says: “Many areas of the public service are under extreme pressure, and in order to keep delivering essential services to all our citizens we need flexibility and adaptability. The operation of traditional flexi-time and attendance management rules do not support the flexible arrangements and agility required during this extraordinary situation.”

DPER says that “it is crucial that we show solidarity as a unified one public service” at a time when Covid-19 has had an “unprecedented impact’ on normal working arrangements.

Cultural institutions across the country were forced to shut their doors on 12^th March, in one of the earliest restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since then, Fórsa members and others in galleries and museums have been adapting to the new cultural landscape, and developing new ways to bring the arts to you in your home. Here’s a look at what’s on offer.

Chester Beatty Library: Since closing its doors, the Chester Beatty has developed and expanded its online offering. You can now take a virtual tour in 3D, visit its digital collections or explore learning resources for parents and teachers. It’s all on the website or you can also access this array of delights through the museum’s new mobile app. 

Cork City Gaol: Once home to 19^th century prisoners, this heritage site is now in lock-down. But you can wander back in time and explore the wings of the gaol through this online tour.

Galway City Museum: The Galway City Museum has shut up shop. But its public talks are now available as podcasts. Listen to them HERE. 

Hugh Lane Gallery: The Dublin City Gallery is home to an exceptional collection of modern art. Under the governance of Dublin City Council, the museum has expanded its collection considerably. Since its temporary closure in March the gallery has invested in its digital services. Bringing you the #museumfromhome series, the gallery now provides online talks, delving into the works of art. For more information on the gallery’s online offerings click HERE.

Limerick Museum: The oldest local authority museum in the State boasts one of the country’s largest collections. Now, part of its collection is available online. See more HERE.

National Gallery of Ireland: The National Gallery is helping you stay culturally connected with its wide range of online offerings. Currently providing free virtual tours, the gallery has also produced a podcast series designed to support in-depth engagement with exhibitions. In light of the current global crisis, and the anxiety that can bring, the gallery has also migrated their mindfulness workshop online. You can learn more HERE.

National Library: The tomes may be collecting dust, but a range of online services is being maintained, with access to manuscripts, genealogy and digital catalogues still available. Shhh!

National Museum of Ireland: The National Museum is currently working to develop and increase their online content for students, parents and teachers. From archaeology to national history, there’s a range of resources available HERE.

The Model Gallery: One of Ireland’s most notable public art collections, The Model in Sligo is home to one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Butler Yeats. Although its doors remain closed, the gallery has implemented an alternative online programme, where people of all ages can learn more about art and artists from their homes. See more HERE. 

Wexford Opera House: A virtual visit to the opera is just a click away. Specialising in rarely-heard works, the Wexford Opera House has made productions from 2018 and 2019 available to watch on their YouTube channel.

Feel left out? Let us know if we’ve missed online cultural offerings from your workplace.

Fórsa is keen to ensure that all our members contact details are up to date.

By maintaining your current contact details we can ensure that up-to-the-minute, important information can be delivered directly to each and every member of the union.

This is especially important during the current national Covid-19 crisis. In the past few days we’ve been able to issue a series of special bulletins to members, keeping them in touch with the latest advice and guidelines from the HSE and employers.

However, if any member isn’t receiving this information, it means we don’t have a current email address for them on our system. This could be because they’ve moved departments or changed grades or employment etc.

If this sounds like the experience of one of your colleagues, please share this information with them and let them know we’re encouraging members to update their contact details with us in order to improve our communications service to members.

The union is also experiencing a high volume of members getting in touch with the communications unit directly to change their contact details as a result of new eircom policy taking effect later this month. Those members wishing to change the email address Fórsa contacts them on should also follow the directions outlined below.

It's also worth noting your home email address helps to ensure direct, safe and more effective communications with you than a workplace email address.

To update contact details, visit our website HERE and follow the directions to quickly update them.