Continued Covid-19 response
- Internal Audit completed a review of the H&S (Property Services) approach to monitoring and implementation of controls in 2021 and this drove a score of “1 = Satisfactory”
- The HSE were invited by the Bank to undertake proactive site inspections, covering offices and branches, and these scored a ‘pass’ with positive comments
- Work continued in updating with our Primary Authority, General Medical Advisor and other banks to benchmark controls
- NatWest Group ensured there was a model in place for monitoring cases, and engagement with local councils in reporting required cases and supporting queries
- Two Covid “outbreaks” were reported in 2021, as a cluster of cases were reported in two mailroom locations, impacting 9 members of staff. Although these cannot be confirmed as workplace transmission, the Bank reported these to be transparent, and worked with local councils to implement additional controls and “read across”
- Lateral Flow kits were rolled out through various stages of Government provision
- H&S supported (on panel) two Bank-wide “workplace live” sessions on Covid vaccination/Flu Booster
- Government guidance across all devolved nations was monitored, feeding updated risk assessments, Covid hub (both centrally and specific activities like such as Business School arrangements and our mobile fleet)
- Regular meeting established with Property Services leadership team and global reps to support guidance updates & key decisions
- Ongoing engagement with both the UNITE union and the Financial Services Union (FSU) to manage relations and provide comfort with positive feedback received