COVID-19 REPORT

REPORT | OCTOBER 2020

New research reveals the ugly truth about worker attitudes

Job security tops COVID symptoms

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

ALARMING new figures show 70% of Aussies admit they would still present to work with cold or flu symptoms despite the COVID-19 crisis.

Th e eye opening new research has revealed that, as more people head back to the workplace, the COVID-19 pandemic may surge again in Western Sydney.

Th e fi ndings come from an independent survey of a nationally representative panel of 1000 Australian employees, commissioned by Cleancorp (cleancorp. com) – a specialist Australian anti-viral cleaning company that has helped hundreds of organisations keep their workplaces and communities safe during the pandemic.

Th e Australian Government has told Australians to stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if they feel unwell with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones.

Even so, research from Cleancorp found that more than half of Aussies would present to work with a headache. Although a stuff y nose, runny nose, sore throat, tingly throat, or fatigue could be early symptoms of COVID-19 or the fl u, an equal 38% of respondents said they would still go into the offi ce with these symptoms.

And 32% would present to work with a cough, 22% would do so with a stomach ache, and a fi ft h would go in with muscle or body aches and chills. It seems that under-30s would be more likely to present to work with cold or fl u symptoms. Half would do so with a sore or tingly throat, 46% with a runny or stuff y nose, 40% with a cough, 27% with a stomach ache, and 18% with nausea – all higher proportions than the total respondent average. When asked to reveal why they would present to work with these symptoms, the most common answer was that the symptoms were not serious enough to justify taking time off work. Almost half said it was because they would have too much on at work, with no one else available to do their job.

And 29% think their employer won’t regard their symptoms as serious enough, while an equal 24% don’t want to use up their sick leave or say they will have pressure from their employer to present to work.

Th e survey results highlight an issue concerning casual and contract workers, who do not receive payment for sick or annual leave. More than a fi ft h of survey respondents admit they would present to work with cold or fl u symptoms because they cannot aff ord to not get paid. With more than 2.6 million casual workers in Australia, this indicates that 546,000 casual workers would present to work with symptoms.

Casual workers are predominantly employed in retail, social assistance services, construction, health, education and road transport – workplaces that, especially in the current coronavirus climate, are generally diffi cult to operate with workers in self-isolation.

Casual workers are a concern

Co-Founder and Director at Cleancorp Lisa Macqueen said: “Now that we are facing the genuine threat of a virus ‘double whammy’ – COVID-19 and the fl u – it is more important than ever not to go to work when feeling unwell.”

“Our fi ndings reveal that many employees come to work when sick because of feelings of guilt or a fear of being judged by their bosses. However, now that we’re in a pandemic, going to work sick because you feel obliged to is no longer acceptable.

“As a signifi cant proportion of employees re-enter their workplaces – either partially or fully – organisations must do everything they can to minimise the risks of viruses spreading among their employees, customers, and visitors.

“Employers need to understand that shared desks, meeting rooms and breakout spaces may no longer be safe to use and occupy and those old spray-andwipe principles will also be inadequate for keeping surfaces virus-free.

“Instead, using the right equipment, chemicals, and deep-cleaning processes is more important, with a focus on frequently disinfecting ‘shared touchpoints,’ such as door handles, light switches, elevator butt ons, and microwaves.

Type of symptom% of workers that would come to work with said symptom, even if they are minor

A mild headache54% A sore throat or tingly throat38% Runny or stuff y nose38% Fatigue38% A cough32% Stomach ache22% Muscle or body aches and chills20% Nausea14% A low-grade fever10%

Q. What would be your reason for coming to work if you had the above symptoms?

I don’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take time off work58% Too much on at work, and no one else available to do my work if I 42% take sick leave My employer won’t think these symptoms are serious enough to take 29% time off work Too much pressure from my employer to come to work24% Don’t want to use up my sick leave, or have no sick leave left24% I don’t get paid if I take sick leave21%

“While it is encouraging to see that many of our clients are asking for heavy-duty anti-viral cleans, we need to see a strong shift towards a ‘stay at home if you’re unwell’ mentality to contain the coronavirus successfully.”

Thanks a million: COVID cleaners step up

MORE than one million extra return to a COVID Safe economy. but are also able to continue working in in Tweed Heads and vehicle sanitisation cleaning hours have been carried “Reaching the amazing milestone their local communities and I thank them stations for point to point transport out across the entire public trans- of one million extra cleaning hours not for all of their hard work,” Mr Constance providers in Albury, Dubbo, Newcastle, port network since March to keep only shows our commitment to slowing said. Tweed Heads, Tamworth and the Central customers and staff COVID safe. the spread of the virus but our enhanced Minister for Regional Transport Coast,” Mr Toole said.

Minister for Transport Andrew cleaning regime has provided a lifeline for Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s “From bushfi res, to fl oods, to Constance said more than 1,400 extra those who found themselves out of work $250M Cleaning Stimulus has seen clean- COVID-19, this has been a very tough cleaners have been employed to support due to the virus. ing ramped up across the regional bus time for the people in regional NSW and the delivery of a COVID safe public “Many of our new contract clean- and train public transport network. we thank everyone who has been on the transport system. ers for Sydney Trains have come from “It’s critical that our customers feel frontline to help keep our communities

“Six months ago we pledged to keep diff erent industries, including hospitality, safe and that’s why we’ve increased our safe and connected.” our customers and staff as safe as possible teaching and engineering, and are not cleaning regime including rolling out on public transport and support the only keeping the network COVID-safe dedicated cleaners on busy bus routes VIDEO: www.netwerx.com.au 10 WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER 2020

War chest to restart events sector

THE Federal Government will inject $50M to help restart Australia’s vital business events sector.

Businesses will be encouraged to att end events, trade shows and conferences within Australia through grants to help cover the costs associated with exhibiting such as the hire of exhibition spaces, the design and manufacture of displays, travel and accommodation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s lucrative $36B business events sector had virtually ground to a halt during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Gett ing business events up and running again will be a critical part of the recovery of our tourism industry but will also have huge fl ow-on eff ects through the entire economy,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“Th is is not only about supporting events companies and venues, but will also be a shot in the arm for a broad range of businesses and the people they employ - whether it’s accommodation providers, those who build exhibitions, caterers, cleaners or those off ering audio-visual services.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program would provide opportunities and encourage businesses from regional Australia to att end events in their own backyard.

“With many international trade shows out of reach for the time being, making it less expensive and easier for regional businesses to att end events in Australia will also present new opportunities to connect with and secure new customers,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Business events encourage domestic travel and the more events we can lock in, the more people we can get fl owing through our airports, on planes and staying in hotels around the country.”

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the sector had been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic with around 95 per cent of business events for 2020 either cancelled or postponed.

Sector doing it tough

“Our business events sector is doing it incredibly tough at present and gett ing events put back into the calendar will

help this key part of our tourism industry which supports around 230 000 jobs turn the corner,” Minister Birmingham said.

“By incentivising att endance by exhibitors this should give event companies and organisers across Australia the confi dence they need to move ahead with the planning of business events.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the investment would also make businesses more resilient.

“Many Australian businesses are looking to each other to strengthen their supply chains, to prevent the shocks they experienced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister Andrews said.

Under the Business Events Exhibitor Grants program, Australian businesses exhibiting at an approved business meeting, convention, conference and incentives event in 2021 will be able to apply for upfront grants to cover up to 50 per cent of their costs ($10,000 - $250,000).

Th is initiative is part of the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $1B COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund, which is supporting regions, communities and industry sectors severely aff ected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, go to: www.austrade.gov. au/australian/tourism/tourism-and-business/ grants

Supermarket trading regulations extended

SUPERMARKETS and pharmacies extend-ed for another six months until Mr Stokes added that extended oper- - Provide more fl exible conditions can continue to trade and receive March 25, 2021. ating hours for the construction industry, for takeaway food and beverage facilities, deliveries 24 hours a day as rules in- “Our quick response to the immedi- intro-duced to ensure COVID Safe work- food trucks and ‘dark kitchens’; troduced by the NSW Government ate challenges of the pandemic ensured ing conditions, will also continue. - Allow construction sites to operate have been extended until next year. every-one had access to essential house- “Th e construction industry is a key the same hours on weekends and public

Th e Government responded to hold goods, businesses remained viable driver for jobs growth during the reces- holi-days as they would on weekdays; the COVID-19 pandemic in March by and the economy kept ticking,” Mr Stokes sion so we needed to fi nd ways to support - Permit temporary pop up cycleways amending the Environmental Planning said. it while keeping workers safe from the within the City of Sydney; and and Assessment Act 1979 and the State “Six months down the track it’s virus,” he said. - Allow temporary vehicle sanitisation Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt obvious we still need this fl exibility. Since March, the NSW Government stations to be built to provide professionand Complying Development Codes) Th e pandemic has taught us that we can has issued eight Ministerial orders under al cleaning for taxis, Ubers and communi2008 to allow around-the-clock trading be nimble and reduce red tape where the Environmental Planning and Assess- ty transport vehicles. and delivery hours as well as the exten- necessary. ment Act 1979 to: sion of café and restaurant take away “We have to live with the virus for a - Extend retail trading, delivery and Further information on the Planning Ministecapabilities. litt le while yet, so we’ve extended these waste removal hours; rial orders can be found here: https://www.

Minister for Planning and Public orders and will review them before the - Allow home businesses to operate planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/ Spaces Rob Stokes said the orders will be new expiry date in March next year.” 24 hours a day; COVID19-response

School, sport, music restrictions relaxed

MORE families can attend commu- said the updated health advice comes as • Playing wind instruments, singnity sports, music ensembles and NSW schools prepare for a two-week ing and chanting is permitted school camps can proceed, and a break before returning for the fi nal term with strict restrictions; modest increase dancing at wed- of 2020. • Year 6 formals and graduations dings is allowed under new COVID-19 “Everyone is committ ed to providing are permitted; safety rules. a safe environment for children, students • High school formals are permit-

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and and staff and these changes will ensure ted from 12 November to limit Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said COVID-safe celebrations can happen,” any HSC disruption; and the latest easing of restrictions around she said. • Kindergarten orientation, Year school and community life is due to lower “Schools have done an incredible job, 7 transition, excursions and case numbers. and it’s exciting to see things returning camps can resume with strict

“While we are by no means out of closer to normal. However, we need to guidelines. the woods, low case numbers give health stay vigilant.” Musical ensembles can also resume, authorities the confi dence to allow mums Changes to Term 4 school guidelines as long as players keep a 1.5 metre disand dads back onto the sideline,” Mr include: tance from one another, or three metres Hazzard said. • Community Languages Schools for players of non-reeded woodwind

“NSW Health has also given the Program will recommence face instruments. green light for up to 20 people in the of- to face learning; Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee fi cial Wedding Party to take to the dance • Interschool activities can recom- said the changes to community sport will fl oor, where previously only the happy mence on September 26 where be a welcome relief for parents. couple were permitt ed.” there is a COVID-19 Safety Plan “From this weekend, more than

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell in place; one parent may now att end community WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS ACCESS OCTOBER 2020 sporting activities if physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained between people that are not from the same household,” Mr Lee said.

“We know the last few months has been hard on families who want to see their kids score a try or kick a goal on the weekend.

“I would like to thank all the parents and volunteers in community sport for their commitment to following the guidelines to help keep our community safe.”

Accommodation facilities and overnight event organisers should develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. All carpooling should continue to be avoided.

Th ere is no restriction on school holiday travel within NSW for people who live within the State however, anyone who is unwell should defer travel plans and get tested. 11