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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Wife high risk but her work want her to do a covid test test

31 replies

Yellowskies1988 · 30/05/2020 08:49

She's been at home for... 7 weeks maybe 8 now. Her work rang her to do a test. She is an activity coordinator in a care home.
Apparently they want her to go down in the car (my car as she doesn't drive) and do a covid19 test.
Will have to have the kids with me as can't leave them with my nan (she is and has always been our only childcare option, obviously not seen her for 8 weeks or more)
I was at work when my wife's manager rang her yesterday she told me when I got home. I'm unsure if her work can actually request this as she has the text and the letter from the government. It states on that the letter is to be used as a sick note where required.

She has a wasting disease (don't like that term) she has been showing early onset symptoms for a short while now, maybe a year.

I'm I being unreasonable here to say "your not going"? Or are her work being unreasonable?

OP posts:

EmeraldShamrock · 30/05/2020 08:54

It is 50/50 if she can't work due to illness while they need her back she will have to leave or go on illness benefit.
I imagine all are staff requirements are a Covid19 test before restarting in the care home.
There is going to be many who is in this position and won't return as employees, jobs can't be expected to wait either.

TokyoSushi · 30/05/2020 08:57

What does she think?

bringmelaughter · 30/05/2020 08:57

It sounds like she’s shielding. If she is shielding then she should remind them of this and refuse. She won’t be able to return to work while shielding anyway and attending work for a test wouldn’t fit with shielding guidance.

Firefliess · 30/05/2020 08:58

Are they planning to ask hey back to work? If not, and they're just testing everyone on their payroll because they can, then that's ridiculous and wasting your time and NHS testing capacity.

If they want her back, that's more tricky. I don't think they can if she's on the shielding list, but they probably can otherwise.

Intelinside57 · 30/05/2020 08:58

Is she in the vulnerable group with a letter?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 30/05/2020 08:58

Is she on the shielding list?

Soontobe60 · 30/05/2020 09:00

Having a test will only tell them if she currently has the virus won't it? Or have antibody tests been released in the last couple of days?
TBH, her taking a test with you and the kids in the car seems safe enough unless she has been completely shielding from you all too.

helpwithpuppyplease · 30/05/2020 09:02

Is there a problem with the kids being left with you? Ywbu to tell her she can't go, she's an adult capable of her own choices.
If she is shielded (rather than just vulnerable) then she would be unreasonable to go and she just needs to remind her employer she's shielded

Bairnsmum05 · 30/05/2020 09:04

Seems like a pointless exercise. It will show if she has covid however as she is sheilding, she won't be planning on a return to work anyway so I'm not sure of the reasoning behind this.

Finfintytint · 30/05/2020 09:05

I thought you could have a test kit delivered to you.

Potentialmadcatlady · 30/05/2020 09:08

If she is on the shielding list then she will be protected from being let go/sacked in the same way as you are protected when on sick leave- according to BBC financial advisor yesterday

Socksontheradiatoragain · 30/05/2020 09:08

What does your wife want to do?

DDiva · 30/05/2020 09:09

If shes shielding surely she shouldn't be going anywhere, did she remind them of this ?

plunkplunkfizz · 30/05/2020 09:10

Not really your place to tell her she’s not going, is it? You can advise her but it’s her decision.

Carolebaskins · 30/05/2020 09:10

I work in management in a large care home group.
If your wife has a shielding letter than she doesn't need to attend. It's simple.
If she hasn't and she has been working then it wouldn't be unreasonable to get the test as it is in the best interests of her colleagues.

Original poster

Yellowskies1988 · 30/05/2020 09:10

I'm not telling her she can't go! My opinion is that she should go.

I think her work want her to go back in is the reason behind it

@helpwithpuppyplease - thier is absolutely no issue with the kids been left with me I stated that my wife doesn't drive so we would all have to go!!

@tokyosushi she is mixed. She was shocked to get the letter of high risk in the first place. Think she just wants out of the house to be honest. She is a games coordinator. Keeps her busy when she is their. She is keen to see why social distancing measures might be in place

@intelinside57 & @BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz yes she is I stated that in my OP

@Firefliess I'm certain they would want her back at work yes

OP posts:

Carolebaskins · 30/05/2020 09:11

Sorry I misread, if she has a shielding letter then I would say that's enough to mean she doesn't have to go to work etc however as the government are asking people to have tests even when they are very ill with covid, I think you may have to just suck it up and take the test.

Lindy2 · 30/05/2020 09:11

I assume they are testing all their staff. I think this will become normal routine for places like care homes.

What's the problem with her going in for the test? Is it the inconvenience or risk you are worried about?

It could be carried out while she stays in the car. It is literally just a 10 second swab in the mouth and nose. I'm not understanding your issue.

helpwithpuppyplease · 30/05/2020 09:12

If she has had a shielding letter she should call her work and remind them of this and tell them she won't be coming as it's against government advice.

Carolebaskins · 30/05/2020 09:13

Take the test but make it clear to work that even if it's negative she is officially vulnerable and you have the paperwork to prove it. She won't have to go back in until the government advises it is safe for the vulnerable groups to stop shielding.
She is protected as she has the letter.

ASandwichNamedKevin · 30/05/2020 09:13

@helpwithpuppyplease the OP says his/her wife can't drive so OP would have to bring her and the children.

OP it depends on your wife's status and the reason for the test.

Original poster

Yellowskies1988 · 30/05/2020 09:13

Also @helpwithpuppyplease she is an adult yes but her illness affects her ability to process things properly and make decisions.
@plunkplunkfizz it sort of is as her illness affects her to make decisions and as her carer I have to put her welbing first so actually yes it is

OP posts:

Namenic · 30/05/2020 09:13

You could ring GP to ask about advice re:risk of working, leaving house. Also depends on current meds etc.

Original poster

Yellowskies1988 · 30/05/2020 09:15

This site really needs an EDIT button.

I'm more concerned about weather or not her work want her to go back or not after taking the test?

Its inconvenient to have us all go but I don't mind I was just stating that the circumstances need us all to be on site.

OP posts:

Pootleflump76 · 30/05/2020 09:19

Why don’t you request a home test.

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