A CONCERNED employee at a city supermarket says she is upset over being asked to pause the NHS track and trace apps whilst working in some areas of the store - despite this being in line with government guidance.
The employee works at Sainsbury's in St John's but has asked to remain anonymous over fear they may lose their job.
They said: "Last week they posted these track and trace posters around for staff and it’s got everyone really upset and concerned. They are asking us to pause our track and trace app whilst on the till even though the plastic screen only covers a little at the front and back of you it doesn’t completely cover you in a protective bubble.
"The poster also said if you leave your phone in a locker pause it in case another phone in the next locker could be told to isolate if it believes close contact had been made.
"It’s not gone down well within the stores at all. It seems they don’t want anymore people isolating which is a growing problem at the moment in all stores.
"It is very concerning."
A spokesman for Sainsbury's said: "Our colleagues are encouraged to download the app. In line with government guidance, we also ask that colleagues pause this while their phone is not with them, such as in their locker or while working behind a Perspex screen."
According to the government website once workers have downloaded the app, it should be left on as much as possible. However, there are some specific workplace scenarios when you should pause the contact tracing feature. These include when you are working behind a Perspex screen and if you are putting your phone in storage, such as in a work locker, and it will not be on your person.
But, states it is important to turn the contact tracing back on as soon as you are not in one of the above scenarios, for example, when you retrieve your phone from your locker.
It also says employers should facilitate and support employee use of the app within their workplaces wherever possible, while recognising that the app is not mandatory.
How do you use track and trace at your workplace?
Get in touch with reporter Jemma Bufton to have your say.
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