1 in 3
people in Liverpool have struggled with their mental health in
recent months, with job security being the biggest concern
HAMPSHIRE, 14 July
2020; According to brand new research from CV-Library, the UK's
leading independent job board, 1 in 3 (32.3%) people in
Liverpool admit that they have struggled with their mental
health over the past three months; and job security appears to
be the biggest concern for working professionals.
The job board surveyed 2,000 workers to uncover how
professionals have been coping during lockdown. The study
reveals that these are the most common concerns professionals in
Liverpool have had about work in recent months:-
1. I have worried about not being able to find a new job -
49.2%.
2. I have worried about losing my job - 42.9%.
3. I have worried about having too much work to do - 21.4%.
4. I have worried about money after being placed on furlough -
14.3%.
5. I have worried about having my pay cut - 7.1%.
Fortunately, it appears that workers feel supported by the
company they work for during this challenging time, with 61.5%
of professionals in Liverpool stating that they feel their
employer is doing enough to support employees' mental wellbeing.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments:- "We
know that the last three months have been a struggle for many
people. Maybe you've been trying to work from home while looking
after a family or have been placed on furlough and have lost all
sense of a routine. It's not been easy and it's going to take a
long time for life to go back to normal. So, it's important to
make sure you dedicate time to looking after your mental health
and wellbeing. While it's promising that people feel supported
by their employers, we know that a lot of professionals worry
about speaking to their boss when they're struggling. Remember
that it's ok to admit that you're not feeling yourself, or to
ask for time off from work if you need it. As Brits, we
naturally tend to 'keep calm and carry on' but taking the time
to switch off from work is important; especially when the lines
between personal and professional life are often blurred if
you're working remotely."
The study found that people who were unemployed were most likely
to struggle with their mental health in recent months. In fact,
the percentage rose to 37.5% amongst this group of respondents
in Liverpool. Alongside this, 70.6% of unemployed people in the
City said they've worried about not being able to find a new job
and 23.5% have worried about finances.
Biggins continues: "When it comes to mental health,
everyone has different triggers. From our findings, we can
clearly see that there's a general concern around job security
and I wish I could provide the nation's professionals with
reassurance on that front. What I can say is that more jobs are
being advertised every month, so keep an eye out for
opportunities daily and spend a good amount of time on
perfecting your applications and tailoring them to the role
you're interested in. Putting in the effort now can pay off
massively in the long run."
Calls for compulsory face
coverings in offices, not just shops
THE UK Government has
announced that wearing a face covering will be mandatory in
shops and supermarkets, within England, from 24 July 2020. A
software as a service (SAAS) company called Protecting.Co.UK,
that makes software to allow businesses to create health and
safety documents in minutes, has issued a statement saying:-
"it's not good enough and anyone working in a public or
private setting should be made to wear a face mask."
Since 11 May 2020, Government guidance has advised the public to
wear face coverings in enclosed public spaces, where they may
come into contact with people they wouldn't usually meet.
A spokesperson for Protecting.Co.UK, Mark Hall, says:-
"Since 15 June 2020, face coverings have been mandatory on
public transport and now from the 24 July 2020, they will be
compulsory in shops. We have 2 issues with this, why have we
waited so long and why is it not mandatory for all workers to
wear them? Matt Hancock is fully expected to confirm on Tuesday
that Government guidance will be updated to make the wearing of
face coverings in shops and supermarkets compulsory. Guidance
for other settings will be kept under review, why?"
Protecting.Co.UK conducted a survey of 800 UK office workers
asking if they were willing to wear a mask at work to protect
themselves, their colleagues, members of the public, and their
family's safety and found that 98% said:- "Yes, I am."
Mark Taylor, an office worker, from Addingham said:- "No
matter how stupid I think I look, it's not worth the risk not to
wear 1. I've been wearing one since the start of lockdown and no
one has ever said anything negative to me, my kids say I look
funny, but they said that before the mask"
Mr Nichols from London:- "I would be quite happy to ask
people to wear a mask if they want to enter my shop, I'm
staggered that people are not wearing them already."
Lizzie who works in ecommerce from Birmingham:- "I've
asked my boss to make it mandatory for everyone in the office to
wear a mask, but they say they are already practicing all the
correct social distancing guidelines. Why is it not law for
everyone to wear a mask in the office?"
However, not everyone was as keen, like Matthew, from Kent, who
said:- "How am I supposed to buy a mask, I don't have 1
now and the shop won't let me in without out 1?"
It is expected that the new regulations will be made under the
Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, meaning those who
fail to wear a face covering will face a fine of up to ₤100; in
line with those payable for failing to do so on public
transport.
The fine will reduce to ₤50 if paid within 14 days. Enforcement
will be carried out by the Police. While shop employees should
encourage compliance, retailers and businesses will not be
expected to enforce the policy.
As they are on public transport, children under 11 and those
with certain disabilities would be exempt. A No10 spokesperson
said:- "There is growing evidence that wearing a face
covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and
those around them from Coronavirus. The Prime Minister has been
clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and
we will make this mandatory from 24 July 2020."
Protecting.Co.UK have provided a free to use COVID 19 risk
assessment that can be completed online or downloaded and
adapted
online.
"No DSS
letting bans"
A heard by District
Judge Victoria Mark, at York County Court, has ruled:- "No
DSS letting bans" are contrary to sections 19 and 29 of
the Equality Act 2010. The case was brought by the homeless
charity, Shelter, on behalf of a single Mum who was in receipt
of housing benefit. Does this affect you?
LGA issues
response to the UK immigration point based system statement
THE Local Government
Association (LGA) works to support, promote and improve local
Government, representing more than 330 Councils, of all types,
across England. Responding to the publication of further details
on plans for the new UK points based immigration system, the
Chairman of the LGA, Cllr James Jamieson, said:- "As a
country we face significant skills challenges, with 1 of the
most serious being in our Social Care system. We need to do what
we can to ensure the Social Care workforce can be maintained.
COVID-19 has resulted in a unprecedented shock to the economy
and we must ensure that local and national economies have the
workforces they need. A key issue for Councils will be business
continuity and the ability to plan for the sustainability of
essential public services and that local private and public
sector employers have a steady supply of the skills they need to
survive. Salary thresholds should be variable across sector and
region, to reflect the needs of different employers, alongside a
reformed and devolved skills and employment system to tackle the
existing national skills shortages. During the pandemic, our
Social Care workers have demonstrated more than ever how
important and valued they are in caring for our loved ones. With
122,000 care worker vacancies, the Government needs to ensure
that Social Care workers are included in the new health and care
visa to help fill these vital roles. Social Care should be given
parity of esteem with the NHS and other health professionals.
This should be alongside the need for a long term, sustainable
funding settlement for Social Care and we look forward to when
cross party talks on the future of Social Care can begin."
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, within the UK, has risen by
398 cases and the total
number now stand at 291,373, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was sadly reported to be
138 according to the Department
of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is
44,968.
In England, there are a total of 250,379 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 43,602 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 2,470 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 1,523 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 2,039 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 1,195 confirmed cases
► Halton, 692 confirmed cases.
► Blackpool, 1,030 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 1,085 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,869 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 1,286 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,986 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 2,204 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 6,771 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 2,972 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,884 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 1,652 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,638 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 1,536 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 1,262 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 2,138 confirmed cases.