Covid-19 update for members
Another special edition COVID-19 update has been issued to Accord members who work in Halifax, Lloyds and Bank of Scotland branches.
This latest update focuses on a new agreed approach in relation to Tier 4 areas, and a review of the existing measures.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse … it did.
The rapid spread of a new variant of coronavirus has led to the introduction of strict tier four mixing rules, harsher restrictions on mixing at Christmas and other countries placing the UK on a travel plan.
Not the way we wanted to end this awful year.
As you’d expect, we had urgent talks with Community Bank leaders yesterday and have agreed some interim measures to keep you as safe as possible, whilst you continue, as key workers, to keep bank branches open.
Colleagues in Tier 4 locations in England and Level 4 lockdown in Wales will be expected to follow LBG's Category C restrictions guidance with immediate effect. In addition, with immediate effect, the following measures will apply to all branch colleagues, regardless of tier:
- Movement between branches will be reduced and you will be limited to working within your branch team;
- When the branch closes, you will be able to go home (except if there are critical run the bank activities – e.g. cash delivery). So – you don’t have to stay behind to do ‘meaningful work’ and you won’t be expected to work back any hours or take holidays to cover any absence;
- Face to face interviews will stop – you can choose to see extremely vulnerable customers if you wish, but that’s your choice. Otherwise – no face to face appointments should be booked or undertaken;
- If you’re a Mortgage and Protection Adviser you should work from home if you’re able to, unless needed in branch to meet minimum resourcing levels.
These are interim arrangements that will be in place until 11th January 2021 when we’ll jointly review the information available to us – e.g. customer demand, level of colleague absence, government guidance etc. to see what further measures may be necessary.
The revised working arrangements may take a bit of time to sort out today, as some colleagues will be in branches other than their home branch and some customer appointments may need to be re-arranged. But we hope you’ll work constructively with local management to allow the new approach to be implemented as soon as practically possible.
We’ve put suggestions to the leadership team for additional measures that may be necessary, e.g. a further reduction in opening hours, closing on Saturdays, customer education campaigns. All of which will be thought through and discussed by the review date of 11th January 2021.
Until then, your feedback is, as always welcome. Any problems that arise in your workplace, or issues that you can’t resolve through constructive dialogue with your local management team should be taken up with the Accord officer who covers your workplace. Details below.
Stay safe and thanks, as always, for being an Accord member.
