Manager keeps booking Covid tests for me

[Jimbellselmbath]

We have on site covid testing at my work. No need for symptoms, anybody can have one. A few people go just for 20 minutes away, most don't want one as they do not want to isolate and lose 2 weeks wage (plus partners wage I suppose) if they were to test positive with no symptoms.

Anyway, I don't think they are getting the uptake they anticipated and suspect there are targets managers are being given for testing.
I keep getting texts saying 'your covid test has been booked for xyz' I have not attended any of them.
I had a message on my screen yesterday from my manager saying 'can you do me a favor, I have booked you a covid test for xyz' I still didn't go, manager is off site and there is no way of replying to her.
Today I got a text saying my test has been booked and I must attend even if i do not plan on taking the test (automated type texts- cannot reply)
I don't know whether to go or not. I won't be having the test but I don't think the testers would have any way of stopping these messages as surely they don't have access to that system?
Manager isn't in today, we only cross paths about once a month, i wouldn't know how to contact her outside of this. There are other managers who are more accessible, should I ask those? Is it an HR matter? Do I just keep ignoring the messages as they have not been promoted by me? I feel like complaining about the sneakyness of it all but I don't know who to.
What would you do?

ilovemypantry Scotland. Why wouldn’t I have followed the rules?

I just wouldn't follow your made up ones.

@Ilovemypantry are you walking up to everyone you pass in the street who has no symptoms or any reason to think they have Covid and bullying them to have a test too?

OP has no symptoms and if she worked anywhere else, or WFH or was a SAHM there'd be no reason for her to take a test, and in fact she'd be given hell on here for booking a test when she had no symptoms.
A large number of posters here are addressing her as if she has symptoms, or even as though she actually has Covid. When actually she's exactly the same as them. Going about her life normally with no symptoms, no known contact with it and no reason to think she has it.
It's bizarre.

And yes, any employer who insists that their employees have a regular test at work, needs to pay them in full if they test positive.

Nicknacky, if I remeber right (I might not have tbf), your profession means one would bloody hope you have a better grasp of the rules than Pantry .

Herja To be fair, I’m as lost as most people when it comes to the ever changing corona laws! But you are right though, I would get slaughtered at work if I broke the laws!

Although, I am human and did have family round in the garden after a close family funeral. I would quite happy have taken my punishment for that.

[quote saraclara]@Ilovemypantry are you walking up to everyone you pass in the street who has no symptoms or any reason to think they have Covid and bullying them to have a test too?

OP has no symptoms and if she worked anywhere else, or WFH or was a SAHM there'd be no reason for her to take a test, and in fact she'd be given hell on here for booking a test when she had no symptoms.
A large number of posters here are addressing her as if she has symptoms, or even as though she actually has Covid. When actually she's exactly the same as them. Going about her life normally with no symptoms, no known contact with it and no reason to think she has it.
It's bizarre.

And yes, any employer who insists that their employees have a regular test at work, needs to pay them in full if they test positive.[/quote]
I’m not walking up to anyone in the street or having any sort of conversation...we’re in lockdown.

I think the OP’s employers are behaving in a very responsible way by requesting that their employees get tested, all employers should be doing the same. And it goes without saying that staff should be paid if they test positive and have to isolate.

Ilovemypantry Whilst I don’t disagree in theory to all people being tested, you do realise there will be a reason that organisations aren’t doing this, and cost will only be one of them?

"I’m not walking up to anyone in the street or having any sort of conversation...we’re in lockdown."

I know it's not the point you're making, but I would like to remind people that outdoor activities have been encouraged, even with one other person, at a social distance. It is not at all necessary to isolate in lockdown this time, unless that best meets your health needs.

Herja Especially when ilovemypantry has been so vocal (not to mention condescending and incorrect) that lockdown = Self isolation.

God, there has been some hard of thinking posters on this thread since my last contribution.

It's fascinating how some people rewrite the rules and even the definitions of key terms in their heads without realising they've done any such thing. The actual rules are written down for us all to see!

Shall I paraphrase a few important ones for you, @Ilovemypantry:

• there is a big difference between not isolating after a positive result (punishable by law with a huge fine) and not taking tests when not experiencing symptoms (what most of us are doing)

• isolating is not the same as lockdown. Isolating means you dont leave your ho e for any purpose. You dont shop, walk dogs, exercise, attend work, see anyone etc etc. In the present version of lockdown, all these are permissible with conditions.

You are coming across as a very naive person. You saying something is x does not make it so. You saying 'we all have to do x' doesn't make it possible for everyone, doesn't take away the barriers, doesn't change the fact that everyone will make up their own minds according to their circumstances.

OP I really hope enough posters have seen your POV to make you feel you're not unreasonable.

Thank you (almost) everybody. Some good points raised on both sides. I went to the test at the time I was given. They just asked if I would like to give feedback on why I didn't wish to take the test. There were around 20 other people in the queue. Only one went into the testing room and the rest declined the test and went back to work. They said it is completely optional, however, I cannot opt out of the texts.

Sorry, that last line was poorly written.

The covid tests are optional
Text messages will continue and cannot be opted out of

@Ilovemypantry this second “lockdown” involves schools/colleges/uni’s open and a substantial amount of work places open compared to the last lockdown.
It’s definitely not isolating and it clearly isn’t a lockdown either. I hope it lowers the figures substantial but I’m not holding my breath, the virus is spreading much easier this time and it’s not all because people are not following the restrictions.

I bet you’re not going to have the vaccine either when it’s available

This is not something that's compulsory either and it's up to the individual whether they choose to take it or not. You don't really seem to understand the concept of human rights do you.

Thanks for the update Jim.

I don’t blame you Jim for not taking the test

You will not be the only one until people are paid fully for the time that they have to take off self isolating who can not work from home we shall find people opting out of routinely being tested

It’s understandable few people can afford to loose their wage or even wait until payments come through from the government that may cover some of their wage

But if you don't get tested - you don't know if you have the virus.

Chances are that you don't have it - after all, you don't have any symptoms. If you did happen to get a positive test, self-isolating means that you wouldn't spread it to anyone else - meaning that they wouldn't need to take time off. The virus spreads less, and more people keep earning.

Why do people just not get it?

But if you don't get tested - you don't know if you have the virus

Presume you're getting yourself tested weekly right? And if not, why not?

Because I'm not offered one by my employer. Simple.

Seems to me the only simple thing here is your naïvety in your willingness to give away other people's rights.

That's a bit random.

@PurplePi why don't you pay for a weekly private test?

After all, that would cost you far less than the two weeks wages you would expect the OP to lost out on with no symptoms and as you said

if you don't get tested - you don't know if you have the virus

If you did happen to get a positive test, self-isolating means that you wouldn't spread it to anyone else - meaning that they wouldn't need to take time off. The virus spreads less, and more people keep earning.

Don't you get it?

@PurplePi

But if you don't get tested - you don't know if you have the virus.

Chances are that you don't have it - after all, you don't have any symptoms. If you did happen to get a positive test, self-isolating means that you wouldn't spread it to anyone else - meaning that they wouldn't need to take time off. The virus spreads less, and more people keep earning.

Why do people just not get it?

People “just don’t get it” because it doesn’t suit them. All they are concerned about is their “human rights” not to do something that could possibly save the lives of others. Sadly there are so many people that are selfish and self centred beyond belief. This is why the virus is spreading out of control again, purely down to selfish people who refuse to follow the rules because it’s their “human right” not to. We will never be free of this virus all the while there are people like this amongst us.

I don't get why they won't pay you. I work part time and am not entitled to sick pay usually. However if it's Covd related I get full pay. It doesn't make sense for a company to do this and not pay their staff if they're sent home and have to stay off. That's a really shit company tbh.

I don't blame you for not taking a test if you don't have symptoms. What a pile of wank.

Although I do like the idea of on site testing.

@Ilovemypantry

People like this? As in people who don't get weekly tests when they are asymptomatic? So almost everyone then.