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Original poster

Asked to go back to work in call centre wwyd

56 replies

portocristo · 21/04/2020 14:18

Hi WFH at the moment, my boss has asked me to go back as they want to get back on the phones, he advised there will be social distancing and that the place has been deep cleaned, not sure what to do, I live with my family but no one is vulnerable, however my father lives alone and has alzeimers and MIL is 92 and lives alone so we have to help with shopping. The company is a large retail company with stores which are obviously closed and also sells lots online, what do you think ?

OP posts:
SpoonBlender · 21/04/2020 14:20

Hell no. It's probably illegal anyway.

Also they're being technically incompetent - it would be fairly easy to push calls over to you via the laptop anyway.

Ragwort · 21/04/2020 14:21

Personally I would love to go back to work, I am furloughed and would be very happy to go back. (Also retail).

Ragwort · 21/04/2020 14:21

Why is it “illegal”? Hmm

AmyFl · 21/04/2020 14:23

If you tell us what shop it is I will make sure I never shop there again. It seems that they don't care much for the health of their staff.

Bridecilla · 21/04/2020 14:23

It's not illegal Grin

What choice do you have? Can your job be done at home? If not you need to go in.

'We' have to help with shopping can be done by whomever the other bit of 'we' is

Ragwort · 21/04/2020 14:24

AmyFL ... I assume you are therefore not buying any food at the moment? What a ridiculous comment. Hmm

Rebootingagain · 21/04/2020 14:24

It’s not illegal - where did that nonsense come from.

Loads of people are at work. They have obviously given OP time off while they make the necessary adjustments to enable them to implement the required precautions and social distancing.

I would imagine not going back when they have taken the relevant steps to allow it would be a breach of contract? At the very least I would expect to be unpaid and not entitled to any benefits if you simply decided you didn’t fancy going back.

MrsJoshNavidi · 21/04/2020 14:24

Our call centre staff are working in the office (building society). Social distancing is in force.
What are the consequences if you refuse?

HollyBollyBooBoo · 21/04/2020 14:25

Loads of people are at work! Presumably if you don't want to go to work anymore then you have to resign!

ilovecakeandwine · 21/04/2020 14:25

Is it hell illegal !!
If social distancing is possible than they can ask you to go back to work .
I'd go back tomorrow as long as it's safe .

UnicornMadeOfPinkGlitter · 21/04/2020 14:28

I can’t see how you have a case to not return if the rules are being followed?
They have implemented social distancing rules and I would assume that means empty desks and less people on shift. Plus access to cleaning equipment and each station cleaned down before the next person sat at that station.

I’ve not stopped working but then work in a school (open throughout the Easter holidays) and a supermarket so both ‘keyworker’ roles and the school hasn’t exactly been able to stick to social distancing. How can you read for a child from 2 metres away?

So if the business can reopen and is a service that’s deemed safe/essential then I can’t see why staff can’t return.

KillerofMen · 21/04/2020 14:29

It's illegal if they haven't put measures in place to protect their staff.

Here are some things I would want to know in order to makes an informed decision:

-The outcome of the risk assessment they've completed to make sure the building is safe and how social distancing will be in place.

-The reasons why they cannot allow you to take calls from home.

-The process by which they decide who has to come back into the office and an equality impact assessment, if applicable.

-I'd also be seeking advice from my union rep if needed.

If they fulfill the H&S obligations there's no legitimate reason for you to refuse to go back.

Original poster
portocristo · 21/04/2020 14:54

Thanks everyone, will give it some thought, I am working from home at the moment contacting customers by email and am happy to do this obviously there will be some risk going back and of course will will all be using same toilets etc

OP posts:
Rebootingagain · 21/04/2020 15:08

I honestly don’t see what there is to give any thought?

They have asked you to go back to work like millions of people are everyday. A call centre sounds like a much safer environment than where many are working even without social distancing in place.

You are lucky to have a job, I am sure if you don’t want to go back they won’t have a problem recruiting one of the thousands (if not millions) of people currently desperate to work.

How long do you realistically expect to be working from home for? It’s about co trolling the curve not stopping people being exposed to covid 19. We are going to have to return to normality at some point and will all be exposed to the virus anyway (assuming we haven’t already, which most of us probably have)

I really think you need to just get a grip, be grateful to have a job and income and get back to work as your employer has requested.

Makeitgoaway · 21/04/2020 15:14

FGS what on earth would be illegal about it?

Do you actually have a choice OP? Going to work doesn't usually work like that if you want to keep your job and it sounds like they have put sensible measures in place. If they are offering the choice they are being more than reasonable and as a low risk person in a low risk household, personally, I think you should step up.

Original poster
portocristo · 21/04/2020 15:34

Yes it is a choice because not everyone can return because of space issues, some people are on furlough and I decided to wfm which I can still do albeit not take/receive calls

OP posts:
user1487194234 · 21/04/2020 15:37

If I was asked by my boss to go back to work I would go back or expect to lose my job

copycopypaste · 21/04/2020 15:41

If it's a call centre then there is no reason why you can't do it at home. The technology is there. We are running our two call centres with people wfh

Original poster
portocristo · 21/04/2020 15:42

What even if government guidelines say don't go out unless for exercise food shopping/medical supplies or work unless you can work from home which I can ? Obviously its safer at this time to work from home, no?

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 21/04/2020 15:45

People are really losing the plot and their common sense. Of course it isn’t illegal!

And yes, I would go back to work.

Nicknacky · 21/04/2020 15:46

But you can’t take calls at home which is what you have been asked to do?

Original poster
portocristo · 21/04/2020 15:50

No I cant but I can do Admin work which I sometimes do when I'm at the call centre anyway.

OP posts:
Makeitgoaway · 21/04/2020 15:51

The government guidelines don't say you can't work unless you can work from home, they say you can work but should wfh if you are able. Your employer has tried to facilitate that but you are unable to do your full job at home, therefore you are "allowed" to go to work with suitable social distancing in place.

Rojelio · 21/04/2020 15:52

Lockdown will have to end at some point, as long as they have taken some measures to reduce risks id go back in as I'd be worried about losing my job if the company loses more money the longer lockdown goes on

Sapphire387 · 21/04/2020 16:01

Have you asked them to set you up so you can take calls from home?