Care staff forced to sleep in offices and not wash

This report demonstrates how much sleep-in staff are relied upon. “They’re effectively keeping the care system on its feet. Yet workers are hugely undervalued by employers and paid poverty wages. “It’s totally unacceptable to leave staff to sleep in offices, and not protect them from abuse. “More staff could quit their jobs if employers don’t act, leaving care even more in crisis.” UNISON is now calling on employers to improve sleep-in working conditions such as providing somewhere safe and clean to sleep, carrying out proper risk assessments, and for the government to fund the back pay owed to sleep-in shift workers who have not received the national minimum wage. Notes to editors: – Sleeping in, losing out can be accessed here – UNISON’s annual delegate conference takes place from Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 June at the ACC in Liverpool. Case studies: -Clare, 30, from East Anglia, said: “People often want food in the middle of the night so I get woken up every shift. There’s a real effect on family life because you can’t leave the premises. “The toilet is shared with those we support – it’s often soiled and I have to clean it before it can be used. I sleep in a tiny room with no space to get around the bed.” -Theresa, 49, from Wiltshire, said: “I sleep in the office which has a bed. But everyone uses it – you have to bring your own bedding. Or clients come in and treat it like a chair. What makes the situation worse is that you’...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: News Press release care homes dave prentis Source Type: news