Covid risk assessment used by DVLA branded ‘demeaning and insulting’ after staff asked for waist sizes

‘That this is happening at a government agency is beyond belief,’ says shadow transport secretary

DVLA bosses have been accused of overseeing “demeaning and insulting” steps to make one of its workplaces Covid secure after questioning staff about their waist sizes as part of a "points system" to decide who should return to the office.

Staff at the headquarters in Swansea were asked to indicate whether they measured larger than 34 inches for women or 40 inches for men, according to leaked emails seen by The Daily Mirror.

The measurement was part of a risk assessment carried out by the government agency which also considered factors such as an ethnic minority background and pregnancy, the publication said.

It added that those who score four or more points on the risk assessment and cannot work from home were thought to be eligible for “paid special leave”.

The PCS Union, which represents civil and public servants, said it was "demeaning and insulting that DVLA have been forcing our members to give their waist measurements."

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon added: “The fact that workers are having their waist measurements taken to judge whether they are entitled to leave is shocking - that this is happening at a government agency is beyond belief.”

The DVLA said the risk assessment - including the waist size question - was taken directly from Welsh government guidance.

A spokesperson for the agency said: “We adhere to guidance set out by the Welsh Government in the ‘All Wales Covid-19 Workforce Risk Assessment Tool’ when carrying out the risk assessments for our staff.

“The tool asks a range of questions about age, health, weight and ethnicity which may increase risk of serious illness following an infection with COVID-19. Individuals do not need to give their waist measurement and can choose not to answer any question they wish.

“Our focus throughout the pandemic has been and continues to be on the safety of our staff.”

It comes after the DVLA faced questions over the scale of a Covid-19 infections among staff at the Swanswa HQ, with around 500-plus positive cases dating back to September.