To refuse to test people

[wonkydonkeyqueen]

I work in a college, we've been told that they would like volunteers to help test students and staff when they return. These could be various roles from checking in, processing the tests or cleaning the stations after each use.

I do not want to do this. I already don't feel safe going back in let alone being forced into the makeshift testing centre.

My boss has told me that it's likely that I will have to do it and there is no way I could get out of it. Would I be unreasonable to refuse and ask HR if I should be made to do it.

For context I am obese (have lost 2 stone so am working in it!!) However am in my 20s, I have serve health anxiety and am expected to travel a lot for my role as it is.

I do not feel that staff should be made to test students and work in testing centres it should be on a purely voluntary basis and if no staff want to they they should get temporary vacancies in place to cover

It’s probably a reasonable management instruction but I would speak to your manager and / or HR and share your concerns. Maybe speak to your GP if you feel you weight makes you more vulnerable and see if you can written advice from them that you should avoid that activity (or ask to be refered to OH and ask them to review it).

They need to change the word volunteers then don't they. I don't think you should have to do it if you don't want too.
If it's down in writing that they are looking for volunteers then use that against them in your refusal to do it.

@ooohbriefcase the email that we received said voluntary and refers to volunteers throughout

What is different about the environment of the 'makeshift testing centre' to your normal role? So you may have to take the name of a student and direct them to a test station, possibly sanitise an area, do you administer the test or oversee while a student self swabs? Would any of these things involve more contacts with students that you normally have?

What’s your BMI?

If it’s above 40 then you should have been invited for your vaccine by now and then if it’s not then you aren’t at a significantly increased risk.

I actually think that the testing in colleges and schools is challenging for several reasons but if it’s legally required then it needs to be delivered and it’s reasonable for the responsibility to be spread across staff.

@SilverGlitterBaubles normally wouldn't interact with students at all. My role is purely back office so normally apart from walking into the office in the morning and out of the office in the afternoon I wouldn't see them.

@Merryoldgoat it is currently 39

First of all you’re not testing anyone directly so that’s misleading. There are a number of roles required in the lateral flow testing process in schools and colleges, NONE of which requires a college employee to administer a test to a pupil or student. As such all you need to do is ask for a role that is not supervising the test whilst self administered ie helping with recording the result or providing the result to NHS.

In addition you are not being asked and nor will you be asked to work in a ‘testing centre’. The school or college will have a designated area for testing set up within its facility. This process will have been fully risk assessed and all COViD safe measure put in place for all involved.

These tests are just one step in making schools and colleges safe and given you are concerned for safety why would you not want to help out with something that helps keep your environment safe?

It's either voluntary or it's not. I'd query with your boss why you'd be made to do it if it's voluntary.

@Imelda03 sorry if it wasn't clear enough the college has called it a testing centre hence using their terminology.
We've also been told that for our high needs learners we will be expected to help in administering the tests.
We don't get to choose where we help we are told at the beginning of the day.

Going from seeing no one but your small team to hundreds of students a day is a massive leap for me and does not feel safe

It’s unlikely that someone with a High covid age / risk would be invited to do this. You’d be risk managed out of the role. Let’s hope there’s some low risk people willing to do it.

why don't you offer to pick up some extra duties from the people who are volunteering?

@Brefugee that's a given if you are not working in there you are to pick up colleagues work

We've also been told that for our high needs learners we will be expected to help in administering the tests

Really???

that's a given if you are not working in there you are to pick up colleagues work

that's the angle I'd be taking then, if i were you.

What happens if nobody volunteers?

@Brefugee as I said personally I feel that we should either ask for volunteers in the local community or pay for temporary testing vacancies. I don't feel it should be on staff

Can’t they do it themselves?! I’ve had 3 tests at test centres, l did all myself with little input from others. My friends 17 year old daughter had no issues doing it on herself?

Ask for a risk assessment for you - if you are overweight, then express the concerns that you have in writing.

I do it in my kids school. We had training and wear ppe. I enjoy it, it’s quite fun. I do the test processing bit after the student had swabbed. It mostly involves dripping 6 drops onto a test , timing it for 39 mins and writing the result. It’s easy and really no big deal. I do it for free and take a day off my full time job to do it, using up my AL. But it’ll hopefully be worth it to get kids back to school. I am very happy to do it

Sorry 30 mins not 39!

You could also maybe volunteer for the role where you input the test results in the government website? That is less contact as you can sit further away from everyone else.

I also volunteer and do this at a local school. I don’t have kids at the school but a friend works there. I do it as it’s playing a small part in getting this situation contained.
sashagabadon has said it perfectly already, but you do not touch anyone, you’re in full PPE, change gloves and sanitise after each test, and it’s safe!
I’ve also volunteered to give the vaccine, again, just trying to do SOMETHING to get all our lives back to normal.

If it’s above 40 then you should have been invited for your vaccine by now and then if it’s not then you aren’t at a significantly increased risk.

I am abs I haven't been invited yet by my GP. And they have it on record.