Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development Media Conference (COVID-19) Workplace Guidelines and Closure of Schools
Key Points and Guidelines for Employers/Employees from today’s Media Conference.
For parents who have to report for duty at their respective places of employment and their children who will be out of school. These guidelines are also for employers who will be faced with requests from employees to bring their children to work or stay at home.
In dealing with this situation at the workplace, employers and employees in the Public Service, State Enterprises/Private Sector are advised to utilize the following guidelines:
-At this time it is not advised that children be allowed onto work places/facilities, inclusive of company vehicles or compounds as they too need to be protected;
– All parents are encouraged to use their support systems in the first instance to take care of their children to allow them to report for duty;
-Employers are encouraged to implement remote work policies, where possible, to minimize the need for employees with children to physically attend work;
-Where it is not possible for employees with children to work from home, recognized majority unions/employees and employers are encouraged to explore options of shift work, staggered hours of work and/or rostering;
-Where both parents are working in a family and in the absence of the school/ daycare systems, one parent is encouraged to stay at home with the children whilst the other reports for duty;
-Where alternative work arrangements cannot be made the employee is to be allowed to stay at home with his/her children without being penalized by either disciplinary action or by non-payment of salary;
-Where discussions between the recognized majority unions/employees and employers have failed to resolve the issue either the employer or recognized majority unions/employees can contact the Conciliation, Advisory and Advocacy Division at conciliation.mol@gov.tt or call 299-0300 ext. 2043 or 2124;
– Employees are advised that if you are not sick do not stay at home;
-Minister of Communications asked the media for responsible reporting.
Article Source: Ministry of Communication
Image Source: Ministry of Communication