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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boss pushing me to break lockdown rules

95 replies

VapeVamp12 · 08/01/2021 18:45

I’m in a sales role and prior to lockdown a lot of this would have been on the road visiting customers etc.

Since March I’ve been mainly doing phone calls and also video meetings with customers and my sales have stayed quite steady, hitting my target 9 times in 10 months.

Today I customer called my office (we are all working from home and the phone is on divert to the boss).

A customer I have been trying to get hold of since about September complained they had not seen me in months. (I would usually pop in once a month prior to Covid). I record all my call attempts and have tried calling this customer 9 times in the last 8 weeks.

My boss called me very angry and said to get down there today. It’s 55 miles from where I live. I told him we shouldn’t be leaving our local areas etc. He sort of scoffed and laughed like I was being a wimp or something.

I phoned the customer and someone else answered and once I said who I was they said “oh yeah, john (customer, not his real name) is pretty pissed off with you - we haven’t seen you for months. I was quite taken aback and had to stop my self saying “do you not watch the news?”

I didn’t go today because I’m just not taking the risk but my boss and the customer have made me feel like I’m just being stupid. I’m not sure what to do because I think my boss will ask me again on Monday.

AIBU to really put my foot down and say I’m 100% not going any time soon.

To be clear what I sell are definitely not essential items! Also I feel like I’ve actually lost a lot of respect for my boss and the customer but I need my job

OP posts:
Lollypop701 · 08/01/2021 18:51

While I agree with your sentiments completely, if it’s a keep your job scenario I’d go. Client is obviously Covid denial and boss is supportive (as it’s not him going). I’d tell boss and client you demand social distance and I’d wear a face mask. It’s not fair, it’s not right and I’d look for another job, which are scare enough which in all honesty is the only reason I’d go.

Alb1 · 08/01/2021 18:54

If you need your job then I would do it, you are allowed to travel for work if you can’t do that work from home and your boss is telling you you have to go so it doesn’t sound like you have much choice. So whilst your boss is a total idiot and probably breaking the rules themselves, you wouldn’t get in trouble for it if the police pulled you over as far as I can see.

vanillandhoney · 08/01/2021 18:57

But you're not being asked to break any law or rule - you can still travel out of your area for work.

Original poster
VapeVamp12 · 08/01/2021 18:57

Thank you for both your replies. I agree with you and think you’re both right. It just feels wrong.

OP posts:
Orf1abc · 08/01/2021 18:58

It's not breaking the law to travel for work. I agree with your position, it's an avoidable risk, but ultimately it is up to your employer to decide whether the visit is required or not.

Not a nice position to be put in, but I'd go if the alternative jeopardises your job.

Original poster
VapeVamp12 · 08/01/2021 18:59

Thanks vanilla - I did think it was law so I feel better that you’ve said that!

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 08/01/2021 19:03

@VapeVamp12

Thanks vanilla - I did think it was law so I feel better that you’ve said that!
I'm glad!

I'm still working and I have to travel and go into clients' homes - it's not ideal but being self-employed I have absolutely zero choice Grin

I do agree that in your case it's an avoidable risk, but if it keeps your boss happy I would just do it, adhering to social distancing, masks etc.

Original poster
VapeVamp12 · 08/01/2021 19:05

It just makes me more determined to be my own boss one day! Thanks again

OP posts:
SmashingMirrors · 08/01/2021 19:06

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules

This is the list of jobs you can travel in op, see if you come under this or not?

vanillandhoney · 08/01/2021 19:07

@SmashingMirrors

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules

This is the list of jobs you can travel in op, see if you come under this or not?

But that's overseas travel.

Travel within England is perfectly legal if it's for your job.

Original poster
VapeVamp12 · 08/01/2021 19:08

Hmmm I’ve looked through the list and nothing like my job is listed. I’m just gonna have to think about it over the weekend.

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 08/01/2021 19:09

@VapeVamp12

Hmmm I’ve looked through the list and nothing like my job is listed. I’m just gonna have to think about it over the weekend.
The link a PP posted is for overseas travel.

Anyone who lives in England can travel within England for work.

coronafiona · 08/01/2021 19:12

I've been in a similar position to you OP. In the end I pointed out that my employer still had a H&S responsibility for me and that I felt that being asked to travel in Tier 3 (at the time- nit T4) was an unreasonable risk when there were viable alternatives such as Zoom. They came round to my way of thinking eventually but i did have to push. It's a tough one.

SmashingMirrors · 08/01/2021 19:12

Bugger so it is, apologies.

Even still it’s not very clear in general,

Metro says

Can I travel to work in tier 4?
If you live in an area under tier four restrictions – which now covers nearly three-quarters of the country – you are allowed to travel within your town or city for work.

The official advice from the government states that if you live in a tier four area, you must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse, such as working.

It seems to say you can travel within uk for work but only if it’s essential for work. As op can work from home it’s probably not essential. 🤷‍♀️

BrieAndChilli · 08/01/2021 19:14

All that would happen if you got pulled over is you would say I am going to see my client x for business purposes, they might ring your boss or the client to confirm and then you go on your Merry way.

BrieAndChilli · 08/01/2021 19:15

@SmashingMirrors

Bugger so it is, apologies.

Even still it’s not very clear in general,

Metro says

Can I travel to work in tier 4?
If you live in an area under tier four restrictions – which now covers nearly three-quarters of the country – you are allowed to travel within your town or city for work.

The official advice from the government states that if you live in a tier four area, you must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse, such as working.

It seems to say you can travel within uk for work but only if it’s essential for work. As op can work from home it’s probably not essential. 🤷‍♀️

My friend is a social worker and can work from home BUT she still has to go on home visits so just because you can do the majority of your work from home doesn’t mean there are some tasks that mean you have to travel/go into the office.
UntamedWisteria · 08/01/2021 19:17

Travel for work is allowed, if it can't be done remotely. Assume you can't have a Zoom meeting with the customer?

The rules are quite clear on this. It doesn't matter whether your business is producing essential items or not.

madroid · 08/01/2021 19:18

If you're good at sales you'll walk into a new job. Just saying.

SnackSizeRaisin · 08/01/2021 19:20

Client sounds pretty annoying, blaming you when you had tried to get in contact. Boss equally annoying. I think you will have to go but yanbu to find it irritating

Cattitudes · 08/01/2021 19:22

Just make sure that you have an email from your boss which you can show if you are stopped. It is fine to travel for work.

vanillandhoney · 08/01/2021 19:26

It seems to say you can travel within uk for work but only if it’s essential for work. As op can work from home it’s probably not essential.

That's not necessarily the case. Some aspects of her job can be done from home, this aspect can't for whatever reason, so she's allowed to travel in order to do so.

You've always been allowed to travel for work purposes, just as you've always been allowed to enter other people's homes for work purposes.

Mummyoflittledragon · 08/01/2021 19:29

My dh does almost that every day to get to work. He can’t wfh. The client wants you to visit. I understand you may not want to. But your boss is telling you that you need to go to get the business.

SuperbGorgonzola · 08/01/2021 19:37

I think both of them are being unfair on you, particularly your boss considering you've got phone records.

Nevertheless, I would do it for work.

BBCONEANDTWO · 08/01/2021 19:39

So how come tradespeople can't work? This is very confusing.

FreshFreesias · 08/01/2021 19:41

But you are travelling for work.
If I was your boss I’d be a bit fed up too.