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?

I presume I’m one of those you refer to. Please tell me where I have been irresponsible or an idiot?

Pantry is too busy stock piling her shelves to answer that. And we have a word for stock pilers at times like these. The very same words that she used to berate others in fact ☝️

@Caroncarona. That's the issue, they don't require It, despite me being in environments with the most clinically vulnerable people. I did get myself tested when I had a bad cold a month ago but it was negative...that was at my behest, not my employers.

That's really rubbish manxious

Yep ...they seem to think wearing a mask is enough

[quote AlexandraLeaving]**@Ilovemypantry - how would you feel if the government introduced a new law tomorrow that said that no pension could be paid (private or state) unless recipients submitted to a weekly testing regime. And if they tested positive, their pension would be removed for the next two weeks. This would happen each time they tested positive, irrespective of whether it was a false positive (you do understand the maths behind false positives, don't you?) or a true positive, so it could happen multiple times over the course of the year and they might NEVER be infected/carrying the disease for ANY of those occasions. And if a positive (false or otherwise) test happened too many times, the pension entitlement would be wiped out forever.

That is what you are expecting the OP in this scenario to do. She isn't symptomatic, she has no financial protection if she gets a false positive test and is long-term financially vulnerable if she ends up taking too much time off work.

Compulsory testing of people without symptoms is a totally different ballgame to requiring those with symptoms to isolate for 14 days (and/or test).

And isolating on full pay/pension is very different to isolating with income removed during the period of isolation.

People who argue for blanket testing and are prepared to visit financial penalties on those who test positive really seem to think that all tests are 100% accurate. They aren't. And even with 98-99% accuracy, testing in an asymptomatic population will deliver vast numbers of false positives.[/quote]
Just dropping this here, incase @Ilovemypantry fancied answering this time...

I doubt they'll answer. Probably busy name changing after being exposed as being a big hypocrite.

I would not be happy but it may be company policy. Surely you would still get paid if you had to isolate.

Get tested

THEDEACON How often do you get tested? I assume you pay for it privately if your employer (if you work) doesn’t pay for it?

I haven't read the whole thread but I would say that the OP is risking her job if she doesn't get a test. She is not abiding by the repeated requests of her manager. If she is so sure she is doing the right thing by keeping away from others then she has nothing to worry about and will be negative job done. Keep her job and know she has done her bit.

Probably best to read the thread.

I'm beyond disgusted at this post.

There are people who are desperate for testing and can't get it and although your employers are desperately trying to keep you and your colleagues safe you are wilfully ignoring them and are treating this process like it's a breach of your human rights?

You're a damn disgrace and you need to grow up.

The comical thing about all of this is you are on probation and are more worried about getting the sack for a sanctioned absence than being sacked for breaching what is likely company policy that the company is being audited on: the company are requesting these tests for employees because it is currently a requirement by local government/HSE and you are potentially risking them being fined.

Good going brainac.

So you don’t want to get tested in case you are positive and have to self isolate. You would rather spread the virus than the inconvenience of staying home and keeping everyone safe. The reason your workplace has a policy set in place is because it is deemed important to randomly test people to stop the spread.

FelicisNox So how often do you get tested?

And you souptalk?

I did clarify earlier that the tests are not compulsory just yet. There is still freedom of choice which I am exercising.
I have had another text message saying I'm booked in again today and I need to attend even if not having the test. I think this will probably be every shift now.
They did say that they are trying to find out why the uptake is so low and that is why they are using appointments rather than drop in invitations so I will go and give them my feedback.

It's wrong of them to dictate that you should have tests if you will not be paid when isolating.
But speaking as a teacher in a secondary school, I wish we had tests!

@Thermo

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

Such a selfish attitude.

Yes it's so selfish not wanting to lose a roof over your head and not be able to eat.

They did say that they are trying to find out why the uptake is so low

Well the obvious response is that people don't want to lose two weeks' pay or have to take annual leave!

@souptalk

So you don’t want to get tested in case you are positive and have to self isolate. You would rather spread the virus than the inconvenience of staying home and keeping everyone safe. The reason your workplace has a policy set in place is because it is deemed important to randomly test people to stop the spread.

It is obvious that many people on this thread need to take a hard look at how the other half live.

It is obvious that many people on this thread need to take a hard look at how the other half live

Yep there's certainly plenty of privileged people here who can afford to lose two weeks wages. Or they have other money coming in so they wouldn't experience a drop in income.

Caroncarona I just don’t understand it though. I would get paid, as would my husband but I can’t fully appreciate the financial difficulties it would cause others. Why can’t these posters see that?

I’m totally pissing myself though, at the judgemental people that are criticising the op but wouldn’t put their own hand in their pocket to do what they expect the op to do. It’s pathetic.

I mean I CAN fully appreciate. Not can’t 🤦🏻‍♀️

OP write to your MP and tell them this situation.
It's good that companies are promoting testing, but not right that people should be financially penalised for a positive test and needing to isolate.

They're paying people on furlough 80% but not prepared to support people properly who need to isolate. It doesn't make sense.
There is a £500 support payment that's been put in place for some people on a low income but in many cases it's not enough and not enough people are eligible.

Mass testing gives us a fabulous opportunity to stop the spread and get this virus under control, but this policy to not properly support people to isolate will sabotage these attempts.

Thank you to everyone who has isolated despite it meaning a drop in income, it shouldn't need to be like this.
Info on the support payments here if it's of use to anyone: www.gov.uk/government/publications/test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme-claiming-financial-support/claiming-financial-support-under-the-test-and-trace-support-payment-scheme

Nicknacky I guess they're happy for the op to do it, even if it causes hardship. I don't think they're able to put themselves in the situation of someone else. Too selfish or no critical thought skills. But yeah, funny they're happy for op to do it, but wouldn't apply the same standards to themselves. Suddenly they can't afford it.

Grow the fuck up and take the test. They won't keep asking if you actually have the damn thing.