Aibu to self isolate when we don't have symptoms?

[Spamellahamella]

I have two jobs and feel that both of my jobs are putting me at increased risk of catching Corona virus. My main job is an estate agency. My employers are not taking it seriously at all. We continue to do viewings and the office is open with people coming and going all the time. I recognise that we wouldn't be able to shut down completely as we have a duty of care to our tenants but I think we should close the office and deal with problems as they arrise over the phone. My other job is in a supermarket. The last week has been horrible. It has been so busy and it feels.like nearly everyone wants to come up close to.me and rant on about the horrible stock piling.

I've been worrying about it all quite a bit and feel particularly annoyed with my manager in the office. She had her holiday cancelled so decided to spend two nights in a seaside hotel last week. Tomorrow she is going to a big funeral in town. I feel like her actions are putting me at risk as we have to share a very small office space.

I have been mulling over lying and saying that one of the kids has got a cough. It's not a complete lie as two weeks ago one of them did have a bit of a cough. My thoughts are that if I isolate for 2 weeks by the time.i go back there should better protection in both jobs with employers getting with the program and taking it more seriously. Obviously I am worried that if we isolate.now karma will come and get me and we will.end up getting it later. Or that when I go back it will be at an even more dangerous time. All I want to do is.be at home.safely with the kids. Am I being unreasonable for thinking about doing this?

There are measures you can take, and still work.

Avoid shaking hands or being in physical contract with people.
Wash your hands regularly, including before and after meetings and once you have gotten home.
Sanitise your desk and anything on it regularly.
If work provide mugs or cutlery, wash them before you use them.
When you get home, change your clothes immediately and have a quick shower

Hi Donna, I am doing those things already. I am probably being over the top. I can't decide

The risk is likely to heighten in a fortnight, not subside. What's to say you won't need to self isolate in 3 or 4 weeks, but you've already used that excuse to be off work? Just be sensible with hygiene and proximity to people.

This is crazy, and so unfair on you. Hopefully over the weekend your boss will have seen some news and the penny will have dropped.

Call in on Monday and say you are self-isolating. Ring early and leave a short message on the answer machine and don’t give reasons.

I can't decide what to do, it is so difficult. Inclination is to do what you've said Persona. It'll likely come back to bite me though

How much sick pay are you entitled to? If you use it now and you need it later will it be there? Are you actually going to self isolate? Or will be you be going out of the house just not to work. And that's all of you dc's dp all of you in the house for 2 weeks not leaving. Otherwise if you are seen out and questions are asked I imagine it's a disciplinary at the least.

I would talk to your mangers in both stores and explain your worries and ask for solutions, I really think it's better to be honest.

I also agree the risk is likely to be much higher in 2 weeks and if they aren't putting the measures in places why would they by then?

It’s literally impossible to not be in close physical contact with people and work in retail at the moment. It’s absolutely horrendous and there is no protection for us, everyone ignores the social distancing advice as they don’t care.

I’d isolate myself if I could afford to be unpaid, unfortunately I can’t so have to rely on people who can doing their bit which they aren’t b

What's to say you won't need to self isolate in 3 or 4 weeks, but you've already used that excuse to be off work?

I don't think that if you've had two weeks of self isolation you have to ignore any symptoms that start after that period and merrily carry on as usual.

I don't think that if you've had two weeks of self isolation you have to ignore any symptoms that start after that period and merrily carry on as usual.

Do you absolutely have to follow the advise but lost of people don't have unlimited sick leave so if you need to use it of course you should but if you don't I would be wary of being left in the position of needing to isolate and not being paid.

Our money situation is ok, much better than most. We own our home outright and have some money in the bank, enough to live on for a few months..I don't want to lose my jobs because i enjoy them and we need the.money long term. I have already told my manager at the office that I would be happy to be off for a few months unpaid if work dries up but we are busy now and she can't see past that so she was reluctant. I think I might just do it and hope that in two weeks things will have moved so fast that the office will have had to close and restrictions might have been applied to shoppers in my other job. I hate lying but I hate putting my family at risk more.

I would collate any info you can on what other estate agencies and stores are doing. And present it to your managements. At Morrison's the other day I saw some staff in surgical gloves, some not, and the key pads were sometimes wiped and sometimes not when it should be done every time someone has to use it rather than tap a card.

I've been looking for a house for a year now. I'm not going on any tours.

If you do go to work, who's looking after your DC? Isn't that also a factor?

My husband would be at home to look after them. He is being temporarily laid off, we find out tomorrow if he will be getting paid, which adds another layer of uncertainty. That's a good idea about finding out what other agents are doing. I'll have a look see what I can find.