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.

[StarchyStanley]

@msflibble

God this reminds me of the awful school I went to proclaiming that all pupils had to wear our blazers on the way to and from school, outside of school hours and grounds, regardless of weather. You should ignore this stasi bullshit. You can do what you want in your own time.

I can better (worse?) that; I went to a school where we had to wear felt berets as part of our uniform. They were mandatory . At my brother's school they had to wear shorts and socks pulled up all year round. And caps. They were weird prep schools.

I am so glad uniforms are more practical now.

[cyclingmad]

Simple thing here don't tell people at work what you've been doing and make sure all your social media is private or dont post at all.

Noone will know then unless they bump into you in the same place.

If your asked what you been up to, just say chilling out really. Thats it.

Your not obliged to reveal any info about your personal life to your colleagues.

As for other posters on here syaing why risk of well plenty of people inc me live alone and meeting people tends to be in bars or for a meal esp now with 6 person rule in place.

So for some of us its for our mental well being to see our friend in this way. Cos by god as winter weather comes along meeting in parks isn't really going to happen.

If YOU don't want to go to a pub that's your decision but whilst its still legal to in a covid safe way other people can so don't judge them for doing so.

[SpaceOP]

@cyclingmad

Simple thing here don't tell people at work what you've been doing and make sure all your social media is private or dont post at all.

Noone will know then unless they bump into you in the same place.

If your asked what you been up to, just say chilling out really. Thats it.

Your not obliged to reveal any info about your personal life to your colleagues.

As for other posters on here syaing why risk of well plenty of people inc me live alone and meeting people tends to be in bars or for a meal esp now with 6 person rule in place.

So for some of us its for our mental well being to see our friend in this way. Cos by god as winter weather comes along meeting in parks isn't really going to happen.

If YOU don't want to go to a pub that's your decision but whilst its still legal to in a covid safe way other people can so don't judge them for doing so.

This. They can't tell you what to do in your personal life, with the exception of having rules in place that if you do something illegal. Visiting a pub is not illegal. TO keep peace, I just wouldn't mention it. But they're barking if they think they can enforce this.

[ivykaty44]

your company can't dictate to you, as long as you follow the government rules and so do your company thats all they can do

[ivykaty44]

Have you go this request in writing?
What does your union say on the matter?

[EL8888]

Tough shit. I would ignore them. They don’t own you and have a right to a private life

[KitchenBandAid]

I'd say "sure, I won't go the pub and I won't go to a restaurant. I will stay home. How much is my food and beverage budget?"

[BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou]

I work in school. We aren’t allowed to wear masks. There is no social distancing. BUT senior leadership have reminded us that if we have to quarantine as a result of track and trace after going to a bar etc then they may consider us as having been negligent in our duty to ensure we are able to fulfil our contractual duties! We were all a bit shocked TBH!

[Daphnise]

They can't instruct you in this way, or I suppose they can, but cannot enforce it in any legal way.

But going out to bars and restaurants is one way, and a not to be ignored one, of spreading the virus.

[msflibble]

@StarchyStanley gah that sounds horrendous. Felt berets? You must all have looked like tiny army cadets.
Our school was also overzealous about hairstyles and was very interested in policing any expression of individuality in the pupils. I remember one boy getting sent home for having excessive neck hair too, which was just plain bullying in my view.

[Corono]

But going out to bars and restaurants is one way, and a not to be ignored one, of spreading the virus.

So is travelling on public transport and shopping!

So is going to work!

Did your employer instruct you not to go to work?

[GlassInEachHand]

Will you lose your job if you ignore their advice and have to isolate? Presumably the onus would be on them to prove that you were isolating because of a visit to a restaurant, even though it could be because of a contact from elsewhere.

[Chloemol]

THey have asked you not to, not sure they can’t but they have

If you do go out and end up catching it and needed I get time of work they may turn round and refuse to pay you

[MintyMabel]

I think I trust the data from Wetherspoons more than the government

Because Weatherspoons don’t have a vested interest in getting people to visit the pub?

I’m sceptical about their figures because they would mean that 100 people per hour had visited each of their pubs, every hour since they have been opened.

[InfiniteSheldon]

Interesting debate, obviously not strictly enforceable and your free time is your own but if the business is already on shaky ground or dependent on you actually being present its not an unreasonable request either. We live in interesting times. Personally as someone who had Covid 6 months ago and is still shattered, unable to face work and now forcibly retired I think we should all be taking great care of ourselves but agree that this needs to be balanced against our dc need for proper schooling and socialisation and the economy to actually function. Properly on the fence in fact.

[Haenow]

It’s ridiculous. I know people being ‘asked’ (told) to return to their London office. The risk on public transport and in unventilated offices is far higher than sitting in a beer garden.

[MitziK]

You don't tell them you've been to the pub if you get symptoms, then - stay off social media, make sure your profiles are locked down and they can't do a thing about it.

[Wiredforsound]

You can go and lick the toilet floor in a Wetherspoons if you want. They’re giving good advice, even if their own business benefits from it, but it’s entirely up to you whether you want to take it.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

Dd didn’t post anything on SM or went anywhere. She was at home all weekend.

Didn’t stop her getting fired and called a liar when she protested that she hadn’t actually broken any Company rules

[ExhaustedFlamingo]

On a personal level I wish people would voluntarily go out a bit less and maybe the virus would stop spreading. But I 100% accept I'm very cautious and that I can't foist my own views onto others. As long as they're following current guidelines, I can't complain - even if it's not something I feel comfortable doing.

Dictating how you spend your personal life and trying to stop you doing something that's perfectly legal is VVVU of your employer.

[ameliajoan]

@Oliversmumsarmy

Dd didn’t post anything on SM or went anywhere. She was at home all weekend.

Didn’t stop her getting fired and called a liar when she protested that she hadn’t actually broken any Company rules

If she’s been there under two years they were within their rights to fire her for any reason (barring protected characteristics of course).

[littlemsattitude]

@Fungster

Your employer can't stop you, but it's good advice they're giving you. I'm amazed that people are going to bars and restaurants at the moment.

This. I think it's ridiculous to go.

[5longdaystogo]

I would love to know where they get their data from, the rumours are rife, ive heard people saying its household gatherings spreading it, young people not distancing that spread it, going to pubs/restaurants. I mean obviously all these things spread it compared to sitting indoors alone but people love to just decide for themselves what is the worst

[walksen]

Obviously they cannot dictate to you what you do in your own time, and it is hard to see that any employer can accuse you of professional negligence etc or whatever as long as the guidelines are followed whilst there.

I suppose if you have been there for less than 2 years you have to be careful because if they find out they can dismiss you with no comeback unless you could show indirect discrimination of a protected characteristic somehow.

[TitsOutForHarambe]

I really hope that employers don't use this slump as an excuse to start abusing employees.

It is none of their business what you do when not working. I would completely ignore these kinds of instructions and carry on as you are. Smile and nod where appropriate, in order to keep your job safe.