Frequently asked questions

"What should I do if my project is in an area under local lockdown?"

Site management teams will review their project controls, the local lockdown checklist and hold a team briefing. All non-essential visits should be cancelled. 

"What should I do if I am travelling abroad?"

Individuals returning from a number of overseas territories are required to self-isolate when they return. The list is under constant review and the destinations change regularly, sometimes on short notice. You should speak to your line manager or People Business Partner before you book or travel overseas to understand the Company’s policy should you have to self-isolate when you return.   You must check and follow the FCO’s guidance before undertaking overseas travel. You can use the following link: 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ 

The Irish Government are also advising individuals travel to Ireland from all but a few, limited, destinations will have to self-isolate when they return to Ireland. The list is under constant review and the destinations change regularly, sometimes on short notice. You should speak to your line manager or People Business Partner before you book or travel overseas to understand the Company’s policy should you have to self-isolate when you return.  You can use the following link to understand the current position in Ireland: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/75d92-covid-19-travel-advice/ 

"I believe that I am showing symptoms. What should I do?" 

If you have: 

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back;  
• a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly; or 
• a change in or loss of your sense of taste or smell. 

You should self-isolate, let your line manager know and stay away from work. You can order a test from the NHS. If you test positive for covid-19, follow the usual sickness absence reporting procedures. 

"I have a medical condition and I think I am at higher risk, what should I do?"

If you have medical advice that you should self-isolate, please do so and then contact your line manager and People Business Partner who can make the necessary arrangements. This applies if you have a family member or dependent with a medical condition too. 

"Will I get sick pay?"

We will review on a case by case basis at this stage. Your line manager should speak to your People Business Partner if you either have to self-isolate or if you are diagnosed with coronavirus.

"Are there any plans to shut sites and offices and how will I be informed?"

We are following the advice of Public Health England and the HSE in Ireland.   In accordance with that advice, there are currently no plans to close any sites or offices but we are putting in place contingency plans so that we can continue to support our employees and run the business safely and efficiently should closures be required. 

Any decision to close a site or office will be taken by the in-country Managing Director in conjunction with the Group Strategy & SHES Director and all employees based at that site or office will be informed.   

If you have any concerns about site or offices closure or you feel that a site or office should be closed, even on a temporary basis to enable cleaning to take place, you should raise a query through the dedicated email address businesscontinuity@murphygroup.co.uk or with your line manager or People Business Partner. 

"The contract that I work on means that I have sometimes have to go into people’s homes. Am I safe?"

You should make sure that you have your PPE and that it is in good condition. Before entering the home, you should check that no-one in a high risk category has been in the property. This would include anyone who has:

• tested positive for coronavirus;
• has a new continuous cough or a high temperature;
• has recently returned from a high risk area; or
• has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus or has symptoms.

If they have not, you can carry on at work as normal. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before entering and immediately after leaving the property. If they answer yes to any of the above questions, you should not enter the property and you should speak to your line manager for further advice

"I am a site operative and I travel from site to site in a company van with the rest of my gang. I’ve seen the advice on social distancing. Should we all still be getting into a van together every day?"

As long as none of you are showing any of the symptoms and have not been in close contact with someone who has those symptoms, there is no reason why you can’t keep going to work as normal.

The symptoms are a new, continuous cough and/or a high temperature. We need to work as a team and look after one another. Remember to:

• practice good personal hygiene – wash your hands regularly with soap and water where you have it or a hand sanitiser if you don’t. 
• Catch any coughs or sneezes in a tissue and throw the tissue away.
• Work together to keep your vehicle clean, tidy and free from rubbish.

"I am a plant operator and I am worried about what I will do if my site closes. Will I be paid?"

There are currently no plans to close sites and we are working hard to keep our employees safe and to keep our business run efficiently. To do so, we have to consider different ways of working and of keeping each other safe. We all have a role to play.

• Keep on top of your personal hygiene and follow the guidance on hand washing.
• Keep your immediate working area – whether that is piece of equipment, a site, depot or an office clean and tidy.

If you need to self-isolate, we will look at all of the options including sick leave, taking holiday, working from home (if that’s possible) and special leave on a paid or an unpaid basis.  

If you think that you may be experiencing symptoms or you have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, please contact your line manager. They can speak to our People Business Partners for advice. Please use the 2-1-2 Reporting system using the Occupational Health option to report a case of self-isolation or a confirmed diagnosis.