Staff at the DVLA headquarters in Swansea are wearing woolly hats and gloves and wrapping themselves in blankets because the building has had no central heating since Friday. Employees say they have been told that the situation won't be resolved for another week.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they'd been contacted by their line managers who'd advised them to "dress warm" in the interim. As a result, a number of colleagues - such as operational staff who are unable to work from home due to the nature of their role - are having to "layer up" in order to prevent shivering at their desks.
"So far management have have tried getting around the matter by declaring the building a "temporary work place" so that hot running water doesn’t need to be provided," claimed the source. "They have also put very small fan heaters on each floor, although these are making absolutely no difference and staff are currently sitting here wrapped in blankets and wearing woolly hats and gloves."
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The person added that management at the site should shut it down until the problem with the boilers has been rectified. "The Public and Commercial Services Union - many of whose members work in UK government departments and other public bodies - are arguing that the building should be closed while things are being dealt with," they said.
"But this obviously isn’t happening. Me and my co-workers felt we need to report this because we don't want to see the matter just brushed under the carpet."
However, a spokesperson for the DVLA refuted the claim about there being no hot water, saying: "The health, safety and welfare of our staff is a priority. We have consulted the Health and Safety Executive who are satisfied with the measures we have taken.
"Temporary heating systems have been installed to ensure staff who are still working onsite are kept warm. Hot water and hot food is also available."
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