Coronavirus: your rights at work and working from home

The union has developed and sent what we consider to be a minimum set of expectations to employers in our industry.

FSU outlines new minimum requirements for employers

Dear Member,

We all face an evolving situation with the coronavirus and our rights at work. It’s vital that your health and safety is not compromised while you continue to work, whether at home or in the workplace. In addition to the member update that we issued last week, the FSU now have an additional set of demands based on the changing workplace situation. You can read our previous update here: www.fsunion.org.au/corona-raw/

Many employers have been incredibly slow to respond to our demands for clarity. Read our updated list of minimum requirements below, and add your voice to the call for employers to protect workers through the pandemic here: www.actionnetwork.org/forms/fsu-covid19/

Additional FSU Demands

Changes to “business as usual”

  • Immediately suspend branch closures and major restructures.
  • Immediately suspend all targets and KPIs, including NPS.

Workplace layout for those working in retail branches and/or on site

  • Immediately implement stringent social distancing measures in all workplaces.
  • Put measures in place to reduce crowding and spread customer load throughout retail networks.
  • Where necessary, deploy static guards to manage customer volume and distancing.
  • Install plexiglass screens in retail environments to protect staff who are not able to maintain a distance of 1.5m.
  • Provide parking (or reimburse costs) where staff are required to physically attend work to minimise use of public transport.
  • Provide reimbursements for taxi or rideshare options to assist essential staff without access to a car to avoid public transport.
  • Perform risk assessments for all workplaces and implement measures to minimise risk.
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to all those not already working from home.

Work from home

  • Provide (or reimburse the cost of) all equipment required to work from home.
  • Pay a special allowance to cover electricity, phone and internet costs associated with working from home for those who are being asked to work from home due to coronavirus.
  • Provide vulnerable staff members with work from home options, flexibility or special leave as a matter of urgency.
  • Provide an alternative workplace option for those who cannot work from home.
  • Guarantee paid special leave or flexible working from home arrangements for those who have caring responsibilities for children or vulnerable people.

Communication Protocol

  • Implement regular communication protocols that guarantee workers and the FSU will be provided with up to date information regarding confirmed cases in the workplace.

Home isn’t always a safe place

Your employer should provide you with a safe working environment

If you don’t think you can work from home safely for any reason including but not limited to family violence, size of your premises, access to reliable internet or lack of space to name just a few, the FSU is here to help. Most employers in the finance industry have at least one corporate workplace open for essential work that cannot be done from home. FSU can assist you making a request to be located in a safe space, where home isn’t appropriate. Contact the FSU on fsuinfo@fsunion.org.au or 1300 366 378 to find out more.

Important national numbers for help

Emergency 24/7 – 000

1800 RESPECT 24/7 – 1800 737 732
Kids Help Line 24/7 – 1800 551 800

Sexual Assault Counselling Aust – 1800 211 028

Men’s Line – 1300 789 978

Men’s Referral Service 24/7 – 1300 766 491

TIS – need an interpreter? – 131 450

Important online help for your safety

1800RESPECT chat online (24/7) – www.1800respect.org.au
Kids Help Line webchat counselling (24/7) – www.kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine online counselling – www.mensline.org.au
Men’s Referral Service live chat – www.ntv.org.au

The FSU have also joined with all Australian unions in calling for the Government to provide two weeks paid special leave to help all workers affected by COVID-19; please sign that petition here.

We have further COVID-19 information and FAQs available online here.

The need for solidarity has never been more apparent, not just as a union, but as a nation. As an FSU member you have the support of thousands of other finance sector workers across Australia.

In Unity,
Julia Angrisano

Contact Details

Finance Sector Union
Ph: 1300 366 378
fsuinfo@fsunion.org.au

Authorised by Julia Angrisano, National Secretary