Is my employer BU

[BestestBrownies]

I work for a company that owns several high-end holiday rentals in a touristy part of the UK.

My role is to meet and greet guests at check-in, give them a tour of the property and show them how to work various gadgets, then be available as point of contact for any issues arising during their stay. I also help with turnaround (bed strip & remake, clean of whole house, laundry etc), and offer guests an optional daily housekeeping and catering service at extra cost.

My employer is refusing to cancel bookings, which are coming in thick and fast (predominantly from London). I have tried to reason with them and requested they cancel/postpone/suspend bookings until the Coronavirus crisis is over. They are just not taking me (or the situation seriously enough).

Today I told them I would not be offering guests the usual catering or daily housekeeping add-on services (which they make a huge profit on), as I have to protect myself. I also said I would prepare a manual with idiot-proof instructions (and photos) for all the gadgets, so that all I had to do was welcome them verbally, open the door and leave the keys in it (observing 2m social distance), and the same when they leave.

My employer has said this compromise isn’t good enough and the minimum I have to do is the standard welcome tour. According to them I should be able to do this whilst maintaining the 2m distance, and if I was really worried I could wear a mask too (pointless against the virus anyway).

How do I stand up to this bullshit without risking my job?

YABU - You’re overreacting
YANBU - Your employer is behaving irresponsibly

Outrageous.

I don't know how much you need to keep this job, but to be honest, that attitude would be enough for me to down tools and walk out immediately.

Name and shame these opportunist twats.

I’m surprised people are still wanting to come.
Totally irresponsible of your employer and the people actually booking!
When are people actually going to take this seriously.

I can’t name and shame. I need this job.

How can I impress upon them the severity of the situation? Their attitude so far has been totally blasé. They actually told me today that loads of their friends had it already, it’s just like normal flu for a couple of days and they wanted to catch it themselves so they’d be immune.

How do you reason with that?

Difficult one......if you can provide the welcome meeting at 2m distance and don't touch anything I'd say continue on. Yes your boss is being a dick but it depends on how much you rely on your work and salary at the moment. I'd see this through (given we ll likely go into lockdown soon anyway) and then when this all over quit and explain all the reasons why - naming and shaming if you have to.

Tell them you've got a cough & self-isolate for 7 days. We'll be in lockdown by then. Do not allow them to put you at risk!

Christ, this annoys me. We have an influx of corona tourists flooding Mid Wales at the moment. You can’t reason with stupid. Your job won’t exist anyway when these idiots fail with their business model.
Look for an alternative ASAP.

Unique home stays? Sheepskin?

I am starting to think my only get-out is to lie and say I’m suffering with a cough. But I can’t do that every single week.

I wish the government would force closure of all holiday lets and air B&B’s like they have with bars/gyms/restaurants.

I’m not the only employee in this position. Nearly all the chalet owners are expecting us to just carry on as normal. Clearly we are expendable and too easily replaced

In think holiday accomodation will be the next thing that's forced to close

@Finfintytint - Midwales here as well - outrageous behaviour on Snowdon and with some caravan sites offering cheep breaks !

Holiday accommodations have been closed here as they are”not essential”. Can you take any leave or call in sick? Even if he wants to keep the accommodations open, there is no need for a personal tour. You can record a video of you walking around showing how the appliances work and where the spare towels are kept, etc and share it with the guests. There are so many solutions.

Check, but I think there will be or is, legislation to prevent employers from doing this. Contact your local mp and please go to a union. You can ask to be anon, you are not going to be the only one.

I'm sorry you're in this situation, it's not acceptable.

You could try notifying the local Council - they might have something to say about it. With any luck they'll shut the bastards down.

In the mean time - cough cough

It is outrageous- however I think the answer here for now may be to suggest that their paying guests are unlikely to react well to someone coming into the cottage with them - touching gadgets that they will use etc.

Suggest that contact free is what the customer wants

I don’t think this is right btw - but do think it may be a way if getting through to the twats.

Youwonjane has a very good point.