What good practice should my employer follow?

Unifi, the finance workers' union, says that 'risk assessment should be seen as a key element in helping reduce the incidence of voice loss'.(For more information, please view our Hazards and Risks section).

The union suggests the following negotiating points for safety reps:

• Change work routines and introduce work variety and changes to the pace of work.
• Provide better quality headsets if equipment is faulty.
• Provide voice care training.
• Allow regular work breaks away from the phones.
• Monitor reasons for sickness absence, to spot cases of sore throats and coughs which are caused by work, and encourage staff to swap to other duties until they recover.
• Make improvements to air humidity, temperature and circulation.
• Offer suitable alternative employment for employees suffering permanent voice problems.