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?

Your employer shouldn’t be bullying you into being tested. It’s an invasive procedure, so no.

I don't think the OP has actually mentioned losing money - only being worried that sick leave will count against them in probation.

This has actually happened to one of our probabtioners. Furloughed, so probation extended. Fair enough. No negative marks for performance/competency (They'll pass soon enough as they are a good worker)

£96 a week vs whatever your normal weekly wage is, but it's better than nothing

It's not enough. If the employer wants her to take the test he needs to find 100 percent of her wages. Why on earth should she struggle on £96 a week when she has no obligation to take the test. I bloody wouldn't.

@PurpleHoodie

If you don't get paid sick leave in full, there are no waiting days for SSP for Covid. Appreciate it's only £96 a week vs whatever your normal weekly wage is, but it's better than nothing.

It should be 100% of current pay.

There's certainly an argument for increasing this.

Perhaps SSP could be raised (there would need to be a cap, does anyone on a six-figure salary really need 100% of full pay part-funded by taxpayers?) and/or perhaps the Government could force the employer to pay a certain %, as with the furlough scheme.

Sacrifices will have to made, no question about it.

Sure thing. When there's a legal requirement. Otherwise, no. Absolutely not.

@dazzlinghaze

I'm honestly shocked by the amount of people saying "just take the test" after the OP has stated repeatedly they won't be paid while they isolated. Must be lovely to have enough money that you can lose two weeks pay and not be adversely affected by it. I live paycheque to paycheque and would fall far behind on my bills and struggle to catch up if I lost two weeks wages. And I know I'm far from alone in being in this situation.

So you test positive and just carry on as normal then? Spreading the virus to whoever you come into contact with. How could you live with yourself knowing you could have caused someone’s death? It’s two weeks isolation, not six months! If things are that bad, live on beans on toast for two weeks, it won’t kill you. Not isolating when you should could kill someone you love or someone else’s loved one.

Isn't the gov supporting those on low wages to isolate? Did you know about this scheme OP?

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-package-to-support-and-enforce-self-isolation#:~:text=A%20new%20package%20has%20been,support%20and%20enforce%20self-isolation.&text=People%20will%20be%20required%20by,lost%20income%20as%20a%20result.

@Caroncarona

£96 a week vs whatever your normal weekly wage is, but it's better than nothing

It's not enough. If the employer wants her to take the test he needs to find 100 percent of her wages. Why on earth should she struggle on £96 a week when she has no obligation to take the test. I bloody wouldn't.

I wouldn't be so sure the OP has no obligation to take the test.

Regular testing in a factory setting could well constitute "and any other reasonable duties" during a pandemic.

I agree the employer should be paying sick leave, though.

@flaviaritt

Your employer shouldn’t be bullying you into being tested. It’s an invasive procedure, so no.

Someone on a ventilator is pretty invasive too.

[quote AJGranny]Isn't the gov supporting those on low wages to isolate? Did you know about this scheme OP?

www.gov.uk/government/news/new-package-to-support-and-enforce-self-isolation#:~:text=A%20new%20package%20has%20been,support%20and%20enforce%20self-isolation.&text=People%20will%20be%20required%20by,lost%20income%20as%20a%20result.[/quote]
Eligibility criteria here: 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

ilovemypantry Whats your work situation and that of your partner if you have one?

I'm still on probation so would go down as an absence which would extend probation, I'm assuming

Will you pass probation if you repeatedly don’t attends for tests your manager has booked for you?

I wouldn't be so sure the OP has no obligation to take the test.

Well the employer needs to be transparent about that as it doesn't seem that they are being. And if all the other measures are in place re distancing etc, then legally it can certainly be argued that forced testing is an invasive and disproportionate response.

Someone on a ventilator is pretty invasive too

Lucky the majority don't end up on on then.

[quote Ballsdeep00]@PhatPhanny i can't see a way out of this mess unless everyone starts taking responsibility not just the op x[/quote]
You are so right!

I am flabbergasted at the number of people urging the OP not to take a test and just as many people saying they wouldn’t isolate if they tested positive.

When will these selfish, stupid people realise that they are the ones fuelling this pandemic. I wonder how they would feel if they passed it on to a loved one or colleague who became very ill or worse? How could you live with yourself? It’s TWO WEEKS ISOLATION ffs, not six months.

@Caroncarona

Someone on a ventilator is pretty invasive too

Lucky the majority don't end up on on then.

Well I hope it never happens to you or a loved one. You really are quite unbelievable.

Someone on a ventilator is pretty invasive too.

As far as I am aware employers are not currently booking sessions on ventilators for their staff.

@Nicknacky

ilovemypantry Whats your work situation and that of your partner if you have one?

I am retired and don’t have a massive income. Whatever my circumstances I would do the right thing and isolate if I tested positive.

Just have the bloody test 🙄

@faginssidekick

Someone on a ventilator is pretty invasive too.

As far as I am aware employers are not currently booking sessions on ventilators for their staff.

True, but that’s where they could end up if they don’t isolate when they test positive, they are putting friends, relatives, colleagues, members of the public at risk.

Jumped from p2 to here- you should want to know if you have it Without symptoms and are spreading it about- It kills people FFS - shoe other foot what if you or
someone close gets it from someone else who’s got the chance to know if they are spreading it & wont go for a test. I just don’t get it.

If you are negative then it isn't a problem.

If you are positive surely you would want to know so you don't spread it and potentially be responsible for someone, maybe someone in your own family, being seriously ill?

Take the test.

True, but that’s where they could end up if they don’t isolate when they test positive, they are putting friends, relatives, colleagues, members of the public at risk.

Op hasn't tested positive.

ilovemypantry I thought so. It’s easy to judge when it’s never going to be a situation that you find yourself in. And people like you should be ashamed of themselves.

I would get paid 100%. So should my husband. But I am aware enough to realise how fortunate that makes us and feel nothing but sympathy for people who are plunged into poverty through no fault of their own.

@Pantsomime

Jumped from p2 to here- you should want to know if you have it Without symptoms and are spreading it about- It kills people FFS - shoe other foot what if you or someone close gets it from someone else who’s got the chance to know if they are spreading it & wont go for a test. I just don’t get it.

I don’t get it either. I am really shocked at the amount of people on here saying don’t have the test, and even more shockingly, don’t isolate if you test positive! There is absolutely NO REASON for not isolating to stop the spread, financial or otherwise. We are talking about people’s lives here.