The situation of employees of social assistance facilities during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) coronavirus epidemic in Poland

The article is a presentation of the results of research conducted in Poland in April 2020, during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus epidemic, on the situation of employees of the nursery homes. The research was conducted using an electronic survey method on a group of 160 (N = 160) employees. The aim of the study was to provide a preliminary and ongoing analysis of the work conditions of employees of social assistance facilities during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic (COVID-19). The article also indicates the context of the legal situation in which the research was conducted, in relation to the administrative bodies taking actions under special provisions to secure the situation of employees and residents of the social assistance facility. As a result of the research, it was found that the majority of employees covered by the survey indicated deficiencies in personal protective equipment, as well as a situation of insecurity at work. The thesis about the necessity to take urgent legal and factual actions aimed at securing DPS employees in a way that guarantees their safety as much as possible, taking into account the obvious possibility of infection, which, however, by providing protection measures and performing procedures – may be limited.