WORKERS must beware of the dangers when they return to their workplace as the coronavirus continues to infect and kill, regional TUC branches warned today.

Wales TUC Cymru equality policy officer Rhianydd Williams said: “Your rights aren’t diminished because of Covid-19 and your employer needs to ensure you are safe at work.”

The union organisation’s branch has produced a whistleblowing form for workers to report workplaces where protections are not in place.

Midlands TUC warned union members that it would be “heartless and reckless” for employers to force vulnerable workers who are shielding from the virus to return to the workplace.

“We all want people to return to workplaces as soon as possible,” it said in a statement. 

“But the virus remains a threat to shielding workers. And we may see further outbreaks that require local lockdowns.”

Yorkshire and the Humber TUC said returning to work too soon contributed to “spikes” in infections which prompted renewed lockdowns in parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Regional secretary Bill Adams, covering areas where lockdowns have been reimposed, said: “Part of the rise in cases could be increasing numbers being forced to go back to work where it is not safe, and large numbers of people being forced to self-isolate and not having the money to do so and have carried on working.”

The warnings come after a coalition of 15 charities, including Age UK and Macmillian Cancer Support, urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to protect the jobs of workers who have been shielding, warning they will be put in an “impossible position” when restrictions ease.

In an open letter, they raised concerns that those who have been shielding will be forced to choose between their health and their job.