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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:
Seafog · 15/11/2020 15:00

If you are still in probation, I wouldn't be ignoring the messages. If you are truly worried, speak to a manager , but you can't just keep ignoring stuff if you want them to keep you after.

BeaMends · 15/11/2020 15:03

What sort of employer can get away with refusing to pay you if you are off sick with Covid following a positive test?

Sirzy · 15/11/2020 15:03

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

No it isn’t. It’s a perfect use of resources if it helps to pick up asymptomatic people and allows them and close contacts to isolate to reduce the spread.

Getting a hold on identifying asymptomatic carriers is key to helping control things until a vaccine is widely available. That’s why the mass testing in Liverpool is happening and is being extended

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:09

The above link is England only.

According to the document, they are developing versions for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

DinosaurGrrrrr · 15/11/2020 15:09

I think people telling the op to “just go and get the test done” “don’t be so selfish” etc don’t understand how hard some people might have it. If you live month by month and have to take 2 weeks off unpaid plus potentially the person you live with also having to isolate for 2 weeks unpaid, where exactly does that money to cover the mortgage, rent etc come from? Not everyone has savings. I can totally understand why someone who isn’t displaying symptoms who knows they won’t be paid to take 2 weeks off and may end up with a mark against them for being absent during a probationary period may want to avoid a test.

I personally would be happy to take regular tests but I know that if I was positive I could continue to work from home and my income would not be impacted. Many people are replying from their own point of view in their own situation, not thinking about op’s situation. I get where op is coming from in her position, I would probably try to avoid a test too if I really couldn’t afford time off.

yelyah22 · 15/11/2020 15:09

So you don't want to take a test in case you have it and need to isolate - so you'd rather just pass it on to other people? YABU, just go and take the test.

Pumkinseed · 15/11/2020 15:10

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

you know that this is less than £100/week. taking into consideration that also OP's partner would have to isolate for 14 weeks (presumably on more more than SSP), I completely understand the OP.

Some people on here have no understanding of the levels of poverty in 2020 Britain. Really shocked by the attitude of some. What are people ought to do if the cannot pay rent/mortgage/other essential bills?

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:12

Well said dinosaur.

(I personally would not lose out. But I have a heart towards those who would lose everything. Including food and their homes).

Employers MUST guarentee pay at 100% AND no disciplinary items if they insist on testing employees.

Pumkinseed · 15/11/2020 15:14

Just take the fucking tests. It's because of selfish twats like you, that we are still in the position we are in.

OP has no symptoms and cannot afford unpaid time off. Indeed, what a selfish cow to not get tested for her non symptoms.

On every other thread people get riled for getting tested when asymptomatic and on others you are a selfish twat. How do you propose OP is paying the bills without an inccome? Really interested to read your suggestion, lozz22.

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:15

Yes Pumpkin. It's £95.85 per week.
I checked, on the back of this thread.

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:16

That's low enough to plunge many working poor into poverty.

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 15:17

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

I doubt that the ops behaviour is a cause of the spread of covid. There's plenty of other groups that could be called out for potentially spreading it. But she's not one of them. And she doesn't need to take the fucking tests just because you think she should.

Pumkinseed · 15/11/2020 15:18

That's low enough to plunge many working poor into poverty.

indeed. I wonder how many from the 'just take the fucking test' gang have been resting their arses on furlough for months! Hmm

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:20

Absolutely fucking plenty Pumpkin. Plenty.

If they work at all that is.

lagerandblack · 15/11/2020 15:20

I have to be tested at work every week but if i didnt there would be no way I would be getting tested with no symptoms because I just could not afford to be off work for two weeks.

SuperbGorgonzola · 15/11/2020 15:21

I agree that if they're insisting on asymptomatic testing then they must ensure employees are paid properly and not penalised in terms of absence records.

HTH1 · 15/11/2020 15:23

@Pumkinseed

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

you know that this is less than £100/week. taking into consideration that also OP's partner would have to isolate for 14 weeks (presumably on more more than SSP), I completely understand the OP.

Some people on here have no understanding of the levels of poverty in 2020 Britain. Really shocked by the attitude of some. What are people ought to do if the cannot pay rent/mortgage/other essential bills?

It’s an interesting question, how much money would we genuinely agree to pay from our own pocket to stop a stranger from potentially dying (and why is it more selfish not to agree to lose two weeks’ wages than to earn the same money and then not agree to put it towards a stranger with terminal cancer, for example?)

I’m assuming those saying how selfish the OP is give generously on all those go fund me pages.

00100001 · 15/11/2020 15:24

@ktp100

All of you saying you wouldn't get tested if you didn't have symptoms are wilfully ignoring the asymptomatic stage of Covid. Wouldn't you rather know you had it before symptoms arise so that you could isolate for the sake of your family, friends and colleagues?!!

I really don't see the problem. If your bosses have paid for these tests they are being incredibly proactive in keeping on top of potential outbreaks which can only be commended.

Frankly you sound like a bit of a baby about this.

Well, some people can't afford the lose half a months salary, so have little choice.
Incrediblytired · 15/11/2020 15:27

Just take the test.

You’re in your probation so it’s not a great time to rock the boat.

Also, following your thinking, one of your colleagues could get covid and be asymptomatic but transmit it to you in the work place because they refuse to be tested/isolate for exactly the same reasons as you. You then get it, share it with your household and potentially someone dies or has long term health problems as a consequence. Are you fine with that? It’s not guaranteed you’ll be asymptomatic and it’s not guaranteed that people you infect won’t die.

I’d take the test.

DonnaDonna01 · 15/11/2020 15:31

This is where I think the issue is with this virus, the government is closing businesses down and wreaking the economy, plus spending lots on furlough. But because most businesses who are still able to continue do not pay their staff and there is no government help to isolate for two weeks people who can’t afford the loss of earnings just aren’t testing. Regardless of spread, they have to pay bills etc and I guess self preservation wins, I can understand it even if it is wrong. Other countries have invested in Track, Trace, Isolate (paying people to isolate for 2 weeks) they haven’t needed a second lockdown and spending money on furlough. If we had got this right after the first lockdown I do not think we would be in so deep with the second wave.

Caroncarona · 15/11/2020 15:32

I’d take the test.

In which case if you are offered the test go right ahead and take it. You don't get to dictate other people's choices though.

PurpleHoodie · 15/11/2020 15:33

Communicating the intention to test staff

"Transparency is very important when outlining to staff an employer's decision to develop and implement a virus or antibody testing programme.

When communicating with staff about a new internal testing programme, employers are strongly advised to communicate clear information on:

why they are setting up a testing programme, as well as or instead of accessing the existing national programme.whether the programme is voluntary or mandatorywhat the consequences are for staff who decline to take part in the testing programme or decline to share the result of a testwhat the next steps are for staff after they receive the resultwhere staff can seek advice on their rights throughout the processwhether staff will have the opportunity to discuss the collection of such data if they have any concerns.what to do after receiving a test result

Employers are strongly advised to consult with their staff associations or unions ahead of implementing any policy.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has set out specific points on GPDR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

To comply with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 employers must :

process all datalawfully, fairly and transparentlyensure staff are aware of what personal data is required, what it will be used for, and who it will be shared with taking account of theICO's guidance onindividual rightsmake staff aware of how long they intend to keep the data for

Employers are advised to make all staff aware of how their personal data will be processed before processing begins. Further detailed information on how to do this is set out in theguidance for employersby theICO."

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 15/11/2020 15:36

@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.

Oh yes, so selfish to not want to lose 2 people's wages for 2 weeks Confused

Surely you can understand why this would cause hardship and therefore people are reluctant?

PhatPhanny · 15/11/2020 15:37

Take the damn test then you won't have constant messages.

Your resistance is baffling, unless your one of those its fake lemming people.

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