Employer telling us not to go out to restaurants and bars?

[RootsnAll]

We’ve been told by the head of our department that we aren’t to go out to restaurants or bars as that’s where Covid is being spread the most. Obviously I understand the reasoning behind but surely they can’t tell us what to do/not do in our spare time? AIBU?

We’ve worked throughout the pandemic in the office as our work is essential but we wear masks constantly (unless eating or drinking away from others) and keep socially distanced at all times. Lots of hand washing and hand sanitising. Not in a job that involves visiting or seeing other people outside of the department.

Not sure if I’m being unreasonable feeling fed up being told what to do? I keep to the gov rules etc but going out for a drink with my husband is such a nice break after a hectic week at work.

[cyclingmad]

Thats illegal they cannot tell you what to do outside of work and if you did contract it you shouldn't be losing you job because of it as its impossible le to say where you did get it.

If a family member gets it and you get it then will they still sack you? Or is that acceptable? Slippery slope!!!

Personally ill do what I loke within the guidelines but im making sure nmits not visible on social media and I don't say too much when people ask what I've been up to ...cos their are those vindictive types who will use it against you even if they have no business too.

Carry on but just keep it private.

[OoohTheStatsDontLie]

I am in two minds about this.

They can ask you. They can't tell you.

But you go out to pubs etc knowing that there is an increased risk of picking up the virus compared to staying home and having a drink with your husband. Whenever you go out there is an increased risk to the business of you being contacted and told you were on the table next to someone who has since tested positive and you need to isolate for 14 days.

So they are not being unreasonable to prefer that employees don't do anything to increase the chances of having to have time off, but they can't enforce it I wouldn't have thought.

[ddl1]

A point; I said; not a legal right.

They can't ORDER people to do more than follow the guidelines (and certainly should not spy on people out of hours); but they can make suggestions.

If it's not a job with extremely vulnerable people, I don't think they should even make suggestions - the workplace itself might well be more dangerous than a socially-distanced restaurant.

[SockYarn]

They haven't the right to ask you to do that.

Enjoy your drinks.

[vanillandhoney]

They can't ORDER people to do more than follow the guidelines (and certainly should not spy on people out of hours); but they can make suggestions.

They shouldn't be doing that either - it's absolutely none of their business.

[Notverygrownup]

I’m in a nursery and we were told if we didn’t stay home outside work we would be laid off.

Thehop, that is awful. If they had said, if the staff contract covid and we have to close again, then we will go bankrupt, that is different.

OP, as others have said they cannot direct what you do outside of work unless it is illegal/brings you into professional disrepute. They can, of course, ask you to avoid activities if there is a good reason - ie if the company would not be able to survive if you all got ill.

However, if you have been there for less than 2 years you have a lot fewer employment rights, and they do not have to give a reason for terminating your contract, so keep all email/communications they send you, but also be very very careful if you are a newer employee.

[ameliajoan]

They can advise against it, but they don’t have the right to tell you not to.

If you have worked for them for under two years though they have the right to get rid of you for any reason whatsoever (barring protected characteristics of course). So perhaps tread carefully if this is the case.

[Devlesko]

You can take the advice or not, maybe they don't want to have make redundancies/ go out of business due to staff catching the virus.
Yes, we can go to restaurants and pubs, doesn't mean we should.

[NurseButtercup]

seriously?

Just don't tell your employer or your colleagues your plans.

[Aragog]

They shouldn't even being making suggestions if giving it as advise.

Either the work place is Covid secure or it's not.

If it is Covid secure, then the employees should be free to follow government guidelines in the same way everyone else can.

If it isn't Covid secure then the workplace shouldn't be open until it is.

By secure I mean they meet the government's,workplace requirements and employees should be at no increased risk if they follow both sets of government guidelines, not additional ones made up by the employer.

[PurpleDaisies]

Yes, we can go to restaurants and pubs, doesn't mean we should.

That’s my decision. Not my employers.

[vanillandhoney]

They can, of course, ask you to avoid activities if there is a good reason - ie if the company would not be able to survive if you all got ill.

No - they absolutely shouldn't be doing this. They have no right to ask people to curtail their leisure activities in this way. Going out for a meal in a restaurant is perfectly legal. Going to the pub is legal. If employees choose to partake in legal activities in their free time, it's nobody else's business.

Why are so many people willing to defend shitty employers?

[StarchyStanley]

As a number of pps have already said; they can advise you, but they can't stop you.

In the past, I've had advice on fire safety, taking enough exercise, healthy eating from employers. Bike to work schemes and other health incentives, 'safety moments' at the start of every meeting. I've been told not to drive to work for the sake of the environment. This is no different afaic, if it's just advice.

If it is phrased as an order rather than advice though, that isn't right and I have no idea how they think they'd enforce it.

[Aragog]

If they had said, if the staff contract covid and we have to close again, then we will go bankrupt, that is different.

I disagree. They shouldn't be looking to lay the blame for the business going bankrupt in employees who are acting within government guidelines.

It is not the employees fault if they have to isolate due to being in contact with a positive case (whether via T&T, someone in their work once, through meeting up with family/friend despite SDing) or by contracting it themselves. It's simply unfortunate.

The businesses know that these may occur by everyone going about their daily loves, I'm afraid they can't tell employees to curtail their,life further however much they'd like to.

[userxx]

I'd be telling him to fuck right off. I've also worked all the way through so I'm sure as hell going out and enjoying myself!

[RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime]

It's like someone taking part in horse jumping or rugby or skiing at the weekends and ending up off sick with an injury. Of course they are free to do it, but you can understand colleagues and employers being a bit annoyed that someone is off work because they knowingly put themselves at risk.

[RedRumTheHorse]

@RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime I know more people who have injuries from football that have kept them off work than the 3 sports you have listed simply because more people play football.

[OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer]

Not in the slightest, and I say someone who's not been going to pubs. If your employer wants a say in your (legal) behaviours outside of work hours, they can pay you for the time.

[ProfessorSlocombe]

Be interesting to see if the passing of the internal markets bill will be used to remove any protection(s) from unfair dismissal for not following an employers direction. Since it explicitly states that courts are not bound to comply with laws that get in the way ... section 4 part (g) being the giveaway. When that passes you get sacked and have no rights.

Probably better get used to doing as you are told if you want your job. You might like it. You can pretend you're a Tory MP.

[Beautiful3]

No they cannot tell you what to do when you are not working!!

[Fluffycloudland77]

It’s good advice though, I’m really disappointed so many people think it’s ok to crowd together during a worldwide pandemic of a virus we have no natural immunity to and don’t know the long term effects for.

[PurpleDaisies]

@Fluffycloudland77

It’s good advice though, I’m really disappointed so many people think it’s ok to crowd together during a worldwide pandemic of a virus we have no natural immunity to and don’t know the long term effects for.

This certainly wasn’t my experience of going out for dinner.

Strict social distancing. No interaction with anyone except staff. Obvious thought and care taken by the restaurant.

We don’t always have to stay at hone like martyrs. Everything in life comes with some degree of risk.

[BrightYellowDaffodil]

Giving them advice to protect themselves and their potentially vulnerable colleges?

Are they fuck. It’s not “advice” if they’re telling employees what they can and can’t do outside of work. Employers have absolutely no right to be telling anyone what they may do outside work hours and if there are “potentially vulnerable colleagues” then that is for the employer to manage, and NOT by the methods OP has outlined.

[peonyblossom]

They can't tell you what to do outside of work, no. But I can understand them asking.

But, in order to keep businesses going, schools open etc etc we should all be doing our bit to minimise social interactions. Our school has asked (note, asked not ordered) parents to please avoid unnecessary social interactions to reduce the risk of the children picking up covid and bringing it into school.

DH is not playing his team sport. Neither of us are going to pubs etc. Both allowed but it seems unnecessary at the moment. We're seeing family in our bubble indoors and outside if there're not in the bubble.

If everyone made an effort to keep the social mixing to a minimum (not not at all, lockdown style, but minimised) for a while longer both businesses, many of whom are in dire straits at the moment, schools and other essentials would stand a much better chance of staying open and operational.

But hey, we're all bored of it, so back to the pubs we go! 🙄

[RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime]

[quote RedRumTheHorse]@RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime I know more people who have injuries from football that have kept them off work than the 3 sports you have listed simply because more people play football.[/quote]
That doesn't make the individual more likely to sustain an injury.

Obviously you can be injured and off work after doing anything, even crossing the road, but doing a relatively high risk leisure activity that leads to you being off work might irritate the bosses.