Edinburgh College worker claims office looks like 'abandoned ship' with lack of Covid-19 measures and 'hot desking' as managers pressure staff to return

Staff at Edinburgh College claim the offices they have returned to work in have not been risk assessed and still have the appearance of an "abandoned ship."

One worker, who did not want to be named, told the Edinburgh Evening News they have been working on the second floor of the Granton campus where there are no hand sanitiser points, desks are too close together and different people are using the same desk each day.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh College insisted all on-campus activities were risk assessed and areas identified for staff or students have been modified and are cleaned regularly, with staff required to use a booking system before entering the campuses.

But the source claims more staff are working on campus than should be because of pressure from middle management to get teams back and, if they have not been approved through the booking system, security will let them in because they work there.

Edinburgh College Granton campus. Pic: Google

The staff member, who has an underlying health condition, said they have also been working across all four college campuses this week which they feel could increase infection risk.

‘Low morale’

Speaking about working on the second floor of the Granton campus, they said: "It's like an abandoned ship. There are no social distance markers, no hand sanitiser points in the office. Once you are there you have to rely on your own stuff, It also feels like the desks are too close together. It's almost like it was just as we walked out in March.

"Obviously everyone is working towards the new normal but there needs to be more clarity across the board, and in a fair way. I am not sure if health and safety even know about this situation, and they can't risk assess something if they've not been told. It’s a big hot desking area.

"Morale is pretty low as we know that this situation is not being handled properly."

A number of staff members working at Edinburgh College have told the Edinburgh Evening News this week that although the ground floor at the Granton campus has been risk assessed, they feel other parts of the building have not been.

It comes after it emerged this week that one person tested positive for the virus at the Granton campus as the new academic year got underway.

‘Robust’ measures

An Edinburgh College spokesperson said: “The college has robust health and safety and risk assessment arrangements in place across all campuses.

"All on campus activities have been risk assessed and all areas identified for staff and/or student use are modified, adapted, and cleaned regularly in accordance with government and public health guidance. All staff are required to use the college’s booking system before entering campuses.

"The college has reduced cross campus working to a minimal number of essential staff.

"This work has been, and will continue to be, carried out in line with government and public health guidance.

"The vast majority of Edinburgh College courses and support services continue to be delivered online - with students studying online and staff working at home. The health and safety of all students and staff remains the college’s priority at all times."

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