DVLA workers have been asked, among other things, to disclose their waist size as part of a risk assessment deciding who is fit enough to return to work at its Swansea headquarters.
An email was sent to employees requesting them to confirm if their waists were more than 34 inches for women and 40 inches for men, a move that was part of a 'points based' assessment that determined who of the 6,000 members of staff could safely return to the office. The risk factors considered include having a BAME background, being a male or being pregnant. Employees who scored four or more but are unable to work from home are reported to be placed on 'paid special leave'.
Despite this being part of efforts to ensure staff safety, companies need to tread carefully to ensure they are not discriminating employees on account of their race, gender or any of the other nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act. Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of the characteristics as defined in the Act.
The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) has branded the move as “demeaning and insulting to staff”. PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka told MailOnline:
“It is outrageous that DVLA are trying to force more staff into the workplace by demanding workers provide their waistline measurements. It is demeaning and insulting to staff who are already being put at unnecessary risk by being forced into work in their thousands.
“The points-based system is extremely controversial and senior management are using it in order to force even more staff into the workplace. DVLA senior management are trying to duck their responsibility to keep staff safe and should be immediately sending thousands of staff home.”
Last month it was reported more than 500 cases of Coronavirus had been identified at the driving agency's offices in Swansea between September and December last year, after bosses allegedly told staff with symptoms to return to work.
A DVLA spokesperson said:
“We adhere to guidance set out by the Welsh government in the 'All Wales COVID-19 Workforce Risk Assessment Tool' when carrying out the risk assessments for our staff. The tool asks a range of questions about age, health, weight and ethnicity which may increase risk of serious illness following an infection with COVID-19. Individuals do not need to give their waist measurement and can choose not to answer any question they wish. Our focus throughout the pandemic has been and continues to be on the safety of our staff.”