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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Manager keeps booking Covid tests for me

372 replies

Jimbellselmbath · 15/11/2020 13:18

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?

OP posts:
PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 13:58

It is perfectly understandable why people are resistant to testing if they (and any family members they live with) will lose two weeks plus pay.

It's the difference between paying rent/mortgage (becoming homeless). The difference between buying food or not, for themselves - and any children.

The difference between paying for vital medication, or not (NHS charges still apply).

The difference between paying for electricity (warmth and lighting), water and gas.

Anyone who wilfully ignores this fact is nasty. Out and out nasty.

liveitwell · 15/11/2020 14:02

@PurpleHoodie

It is perfectly understandable why people are resistant to testing if they (and any family members they live with) will lose two weeks plus pay.

It's the difference between paying rent/mortgage (becoming homeless). The difference between buying food or not, for themselves - and any children.

The difference between paying for vital medication, or not (NHS charges still apply).

The difference between paying for electricity (warmth and lighting), water and gas.

Anyone who wilfully ignores this fact is nasty. Out and out nasty.

But she works in a factory. So if she's positive she could pass it to tens or hundreds of other workers who may then have to lose their salaries, health or lives to Covid. They may have vulnerable family members who wouldn't recover if they caught it.

That's the bigger issue.

Retiremental · 15/11/2020 14:02

Can someone explain employment law around sick pay?
Is every employee not entitled to SSP?

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 14:02

The op doesn't need to have a test if she has no symptoms. So if this is the case, then her reasons are nothing to do with anyone else. The answer is simply no.

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 14:04

That's the bigger issue.

Actually, unless the government starts demanding that people who be tested even if they don't have symptoms, then the bigger issue is that the ops right to say no is being undermined.

Retiremental · 15/11/2020 14:05

@Caroncarona

The op doesn't need to have a test if she has no symptoms. So if this is the case, then her reasons are nothing to do with anyone else. The answer is simply no.
Even if to do so would potentially contribute to a reduction in infection rates amongst co workers and family, and ultimately the wider community?
PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 14:06

liveitwell

Then it needs to be 100% of pay. A cost the Company must bear if they insist.

tttigress · 15/11/2020 14:08

I believe the official advice is not to have a test, unless you have symptoms.

Why this advice? Because all tests have a certain false positive rate, this skews results, the more people are unnecessary tested.

Ballsdeep00 · 15/11/2020 14:09

You only get a test if you display symptoms , if not don't take the test

tttigress · 15/11/2020 14:10

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54088206

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 14:10

Even if to do so would potentially contribute to a reduction in infection rates amongst co workers and family, and ultimately the wider community?

Not relevent. She has no legal obligation to do so. And the op doesn't think that her work situation presents that risk. The work place are already following the legal guidelines. There is no legal obligation or right to force the op to go any further.

CakeRattleandRoll · 15/11/2020 14:12

I would take the test. Everyone has a responsibility to do what they can to prevent virus spread. If people focused more on their responsibilities and less on their rights, then the whole covid situation wouldn't have got to this point.

LemonTT · 15/11/2020 14:13

@Caroncarona

That's the bigger issue.

Actually, unless the government starts demanding that people who be tested even if they don't have symptoms, then the bigger issue is that the ops right to say no is being undermined.

I have no idea what this means.

This has nothing to do with the government who have given no indication at all that they want mandatory testing.

All the OP needs to do is establish whether testing is a condition of employment. If not then ask to be taken off the schedule of testing. No one on here can advise her better than her employers on that. Being on probation the OP needs to clear things up with her employers. Otherwise 2 weeks isolation is the least of her worries.

ivykaty44 · 15/11/2020 14:13

No body can insist you have a test without symptoms and it would be abusive to force you

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 14:14

I have no idea what this means.

It's the government guidelines. Op does not need to have a test. As she has no symptoms. Does that make it clearer?

ivykaty44 · 15/11/2020 14:16

you could turn up to the test and say you are refusing but you were forced to come for the test by your manager - that would put the cat amongst the pigeons....

no medic doing the test would force you - but you've attended as your managers request

Chewbecca · 15/11/2020 14:16

Why not test?

The idea is to protect you all. If you all know everyone in the workplace has been tested, that’s a good thing isn’t it?

Ballsdeep00 · 15/11/2020 14:16

Everyone read the link that @tttigress put on its there in black n white

Ballsdeep00 · 15/11/2020 14:18

@ivykaty44 yes then tell the manager you've had it and it's negative

LemonTT · 15/11/2020 14:18

@Caroncarona

I have no idea what this means.

It's the government guidelines. Op does not need to have a test. As she has no symptoms. Does that make it clearer?

The government isn’t asking her to take a test. Her employer is asking it. She needs to speak to her employer about why and what it means if she refuses.
Original poster
Jimbellselmbath · 15/11/2020 14:19

I think I will go down to the testing site and ask to be removed from their list. I also have a photograph of the message which came on the screen and the text so will show that too.
Thanks everyone

OP posts:
VettiyaIruken · 15/11/2020 14:20

I'd take the test. 🤷‍♀️ It doesn't harm you in any way and it gets the manager off your back.

Ballsdeep00 · 15/11/2020 14:21

@LemonTT but surely the employer should be following gov guidelines and not asking people to take unnesscary tests

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 14:21

www.gov.uk/employers-sick-pay/entitlement

Not paying 100% of pay and insisting on a test and only paying SSP could plunge many people into poverty.

A thought: Maybe it's a way of avoiding paying people wages.

Another thought: Insisting a probationary take a test may be a way of "managing them out of the door"

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 14:21

Probationer