Compulsory covid test

[SophieJames]

I work in homecare on 0 hour contract. At the moment I'm not working until children are back to school. My work have just informed me I have to take a weekly covid test as it's the law regardless of any symptoms. Is this inforcable? I'm not working but they say it's law (mentioned numerous times over the phone) I have to self test. No instructions on how to do it. I feel pressured into doing a test which is not pleasant to do. Can my work do this?

But you don't test unless you have symptoms or are NHS staff? How do they suggest you do this?

Sorry I see you said home are, I thought in my head you said Homebase (the diy store), so it maybe a very good idea.

Why wouldn't you test? You work with those who need additional car support. Aka vulernable people. Do if for them. Or find another job.

care not car

I just had the first ever at work. Tickles my nose for approx 10 seconds. It was just a little uncomfortable, anyone can do it.

Why not ? You work with vulnerable prop and have kids at school
Baffling attitude

No instructions on how to do it.

Ask how.

My sister works in a care home and was told she couldnt come into work unless she agreed to have a weekly test. She agreed so that she could work.

I did the test myself test as part of a community testing pilot through DS school. Its nowhere near as bad as unpleasant. A slight irritation at most!

It's the same where I work. What's your problem ?

Why wouldn't you?

@MrsTerryPratchett

No instructions on how to do it.

Ask how.

OP will likely be talked through it. We were (for the first few)

It's shoving a swab up your nose, not chopping a finger off FFS.

Have you had to do one? It's not that bad, and given where you work, seems like a very sensible plan.

I get tested weekly but not if I am on annual leave. If I have symptoms when off I will ring and let them know. They get you to come in and the will do the test outside.

It’s not law ffs.

You know what else isnt pleasant OP? The bit, just after you test positive, when you work out who you've been in contact with and who you may have infected.

For the love of God, please consent to shove a swab up your nose.

It's slightly uncomfortable but not that bad. Why wouldn't you want to do a test?

This is not the law.

I don't think the NHS actually want you to repeatedly test without symptoms as over testing increases the chances of false positives being reported.

Your work sounds clueley.

*clueless

My mum works in the care sector and is required by her employer to have a weekly covid test to continue to work. Obviously she can choose not to have one, but she wouldn't be able to do the job. The people she cares for are all elderly and/or vulnerable, presumably this is the same for you? In which case I suggest you either do as you've been asked (you'll be provided with instructions if it's a home test), or find another job

It’s very easy to self test lovely, once you’ve done it once you’ll be away. Best to be safe in these times when you work with people who could die if you pass on Covid. You wouldn’t want that on your conscience I’m sure. Small price to pay I’d say.

For goodness sake. What's the problem?

@tttigress

This is not the law.

I don't think the NHS actually want you to repeatedly test without symptoms as over testing increases the chances of false positives being reported.

Your work sounds clueley.

They're not clueless, it's standard to impose regular testing in the care sector.

It’s not law, but as you’re on zero hours you might find yourself with no work.

It’s really not that bad at all. I’ve been doing it once a week for the past few weeks, you kind of get used to it.

🤷‍♀️ don't do it and don't go to work then. How are you planning to pay your bills?