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?

[quote tttigress]www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54088206[/quote]
This article is from 9th September and relates specifically to members of the public booking inappropriate tests.
The situation has changed dramatically and significantly since then with UK wide testing strategies being updated and high risk workplaces ( such as FACTORIES) introducing regular testing for the benefit of their workforces AND the wider communities.

@Ballsdeep00

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

It’s also two months out of date

I’d go for the test - they are doing it for a reason. They are trying to protect their workforce and additionally their overall manufacturing capability. If you get an outbreak in the setting then you could be closed down and it could have an impact on your future employment. They are going over and above trying to provide a covid safe working environment - a privilege not even our health care workers are afforded.
I agree, the manager may have been a bit high handed by booking the tests on your behalf and whilst doing that it reduces your right to choose. Whilst you keep not turning up they will just keep booking the tests for you.
I work for a company in manufacturing- factory is one side of the road and the office is the other. As office staff, I’m not allowed to go in the factory as it is a measure to protect our overall manufacturing capability. We don’t get covid tests provided via work but a first aider can take our temperature if we fall ill on site.

We’re testing front line staff twice a week. If you test positive you still get paid but don’t come to work and put patients and colleagues at risk.

I'm guessing the company are paying a private company to do the testing so not taking up capacity in the testing system so the not getting tested if you don't have symptoms applied.

I would speak to your manager about payment for self isolation though and the affect on your probation. I work for the NHS and any covid related sick leave doesn't count towards triggering any sickness leave policy.

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.

[quote Ballsdeep00]@LemonTT but surely the employer should be following gov guidelines and not asking people to take unnesscary tests[/quote]
It’s not part of the government testing. It’s private testing. This is what people on tv shows, in sport and so on have to do to be part of the team or crew.

Whether it’s disproportionate or even legal is something the OP needs to clear up with her employers. Her ability to take a stance is probably compromised by her probationary status.

@Essexgirlupnorth does that mean they would still pay wages

@LemonTT true

@MrsTwitcher

I would go for the test

Me too.

If the reason you don't want to be tested is just because you don't want to isolate if you're positive with no symptoms then you're seriously missing the point of additional random testing.

So, what if you DO have it and don't take a test, you'll then be going round infecting people when it could have been avoided.

If I had access to regular, free testing, I would absolutely take it. For the safety of everyone around me!

Just thinking about how it affects 'you' is very, very selfish when you think about how things are at the moment.

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

Indeed. And from what the op describes from the current measures in place, the request for testing on top is not proportionate and the op would not need to take it.

Just thinking about how it affects 'you' is very, very selfish when you think about how things are at the moment.

It's pretty selfish of others to think that she should give up her rights. She doesn't want to. And she doesn't have to. If the the government thought that everyone needed to be tested regardless of symptoms, then that policy would be in place. It isn't.

Yes our wages would be paid though if we can work from home we are expected to.

so you're more than two meters away - but you're presumably all working longish shifts in the same space for 7 or 8 hours a day. That's a bit different to walking past someone in a spacious airy supermarket.
Employer is doing all that they can to ensure site safety - if I was the employer I'm not sure I'd confirm someone that refused to take H&S measures seriously in post at the end of probation; and that's in "normal" times, far more of a consideration when there's a global pandemic and I was paying serious money to make tests available.

Lozz22

It's lucky you and your ilk are NOT the Law isn't it.

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

except that article is 2 months old, and the workplace already has the tests so they are unable to be used for others who are symptomatic anyway.

Also testing when not symptomatic is now being encouraged in some places; my friend lives in an area where they are asking all people to take a test whether symptomatic or not as they want to try and map the spread.

It would be good for all of these types of threads (and interesting for this one in particular, as the OP is a probabtioner) to state whether the employer is

A. Going to pay 100% of lost pay for the two weeks a member of staff may have to isolate.

B. Not count the time off negatively i.e towards a disciplinary item.

My DH has to get tested every week.

And yes he would get paid time off. Long term employee.

It would also be good for establish practicing employment lawyers to contribute their experiences (anomynised)

What job do you do?

You’ve mentioned that you are worried that your probation may be extended if you test positive and have to self isolate. I think it’s more likely that your probation will be extended for repeatedly ignoring your managers request.

@Lozz22

Just take the fucking tests. It's because of selfish twats like you, that we are still in the position we are in. I wish my workplace would test us weekly given we're pretty much on the front line

No, the reason we’re in this mess was because a massive slice of our country did whatever the fuck it liked and fuck the rest of us. The clamour for a last night out before x restrictions or Lockdown 2 was beyond moronic

Getting tested when you don’t have symptoms is a waste of resources and completely meaningless

If @Jimbellselmbath is living within regulations, careful not to interact with others too closely, there is little chance she would have contracted Covid.

She does not have to test