To not go in to work

[Woolly17]

Context today is a half day at work and about 5% of my job can only be done in person. I have checked there are no actionable items on this task today.

My ultimate boss has said stay home he doesn't need us in the office.

my team leader (i do not report in to them) has said I have to come in to cover for a colleague who is in quarantine (He mingled over xmas). I went in yesterday and there was nothing to do on colleagues tasks. Today is very likely to be the same. In the worst case scenario I could drive there in 15mins to handle anything.

Husband says stay home you're endangering us all (hims,kids and my mum) by going in. He's very angry about this and has been rather shouty so going in to work is sorr of a mental break.

Given we're in tier 4 I think going in for a day to maybe pick up one parcel is insane. But if I don't I'm pretty sure I'm facing a disciplinary.

Also we have very small children and our nanny can't come in today (other long story). So DH needs to work as well and had been relying on the two of us being home to play parent tag.

So who is unreasonable? All of us? None of us?

Do what your ultimate boss says. The team leader is not your manager so refer them to your ultimate boss if there are complaints. Stay at home is the Government message, if there is nothing you physically have to do in the office then stay at home.

Why have you been asked rather than another's member of the team if you did yesterday?

Can you ask your team leader if you should be going into work given your tier 4? Is the parcel essential OP?

You could always say you have a cough rather than land yourself out of a job!

If you wear a mask and wash/sanitise you’re hands you are not endangering them.
It sounds like your DH needs a head wobble.

You can't work today because you don't have any childcare unless your husband ias taking the half day off?

Sittingonmynoodle- my colleague who does report in to the team leader is pregnant. The last person in the team is on holiday.

@FippertyGibbett

If you wear a mask and wash/sanitise you’re hands you are not endangering them. It sounds like your DH needs a head wobble.

But the mask only protects others from me. I am still at risk of catching something and I'm pretty much the only person wearing a mask when in the office.

Can you call your team leader and explain what you have explained here re the fact that there's no work to do on-site and you can get in quickly if anything does crop up?

So has your manager done a risk assessment of your office, they should have done ?
If people should be wearing masks and aren’t then you need to complain to your manager or HR.

I don’t understand who you report to, what do you mean by “ultimate boss” and how can you have a team leader but not report to them? I think you need to do as your line manager requests, whoever they may be. Obviously if you believe there is nothing to do you can have this discussion.

Yes risk assessments have been done. But we're dependant on people complying. And maybe I am being overly cautious about it all.
Really do not want to go in for no good reason.

@FippertyGibbett

If you wear a mask and wash/sanitise you’re hands you are not endangering them. It sounds like your DH needs a head wobble.

If you (and others) think that's true and act accordingly, it's no wonder covid is spreading out of control.

I’d go in.

I'd stay at home. I am sure your disciplinary process allows for appeal should one happen, and you can argue a health and safety case.

Ultimate boss if he/she is decent will support you. Team leader should be facing disciplinary for their approach in my opinion.