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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Employer says I must return to office

497 replies

Dishmatic · 09/03/2021 14:18

I’m currently wfh. A lot of people at my company are in the office and have always been.

Last year I wrote to HR and requested to wfh due to a health condition which makes me vulnerable to Covid.
This was approved and i’ve been wfh since.

I have my Covid vaccine this week. I told my work colleague that I’d booked it and yesterday I had an email from work asking for a catch up about retuning to the office.

I spoke to them this morning and they’ve said that now I’m being vaccinated I will be expected to return to the “Covid secure” office.

I didn’t say anything on the phone but I’m really not happy to go back in.

There’s over 70 people in my office building.
14 in the room I work in!!

AIBU to not go back in due to risks?

OP posts:
Boopeedoop · 09/03/2021 14:20

I would point them to the relevant government guidance on this.

MixedUpFiles · 09/03/2021 14:20

For starters, you don’t count as vaccinated until you’ve had both shots and it’s two weeks post the second shot.

Greenbks · 09/03/2021 14:20

Are you waiting for your second dose? If yes, I would expect you go back to work after the second dose unless your dr /health professionals still think it’s a risk.

LaurieFairyCake · 09/03/2021 14:21

The government have said work from home til end June haven't they ? Confused

I'd send an email saying I'd be delighted to return once the government advice had changed

mygenericusername · 09/03/2021 14:22

With respect, unless you are on the shielding list, Once you’ve had your vaccine you need to return to work. I’m not going to attack you over the fairness of you WFH while the rest of the office goes on. Someone will be along to do that in a minute.

MyLittleOrangutan · 09/03/2021 14:23

How long do you want to stay off for? Its likely that covid will be a part of our lives forever, so you really need to come up with a suitable plan that is fair to everyone, including your employer and colleagues.
Honestly I think they're fair to want you back in work once you're vaccinated, I think there's a period where you're not immune yet, like 2 weeks after the jab, but after that I think it's fair for you to be back in the office. They've been very accommodating to let you wfh all this time.

WhenLifeReturns · 09/03/2021 14:24

You're not covered until 3 weeks after the first vaccine and even then that's not a high percentage. You should ask them to give you another 3.5months so that you are covered with both shots.

MyLittleOrangutan · 09/03/2021 14:25

Are you actually on the shielding list? Or just more at risk than your standard person?
I took it as you're not a shielder, but I think others have taken it as you are a shielder.

19lottie82 · 09/03/2021 14:25

The government have said work from home til end June haven't they?

Yes, if possible. If the OPs employer says it isn’t possible for her to WFH then she will be expected to attend.

I think it’s reasonable to ask to delay your return until your second vaccination has kicked in.

LemonadeBudget · 09/03/2021 14:25

@LaurieFairyCake

The government have said work from home til end June haven't they ? Confused

I'd send an email saying I'd be delighted to return once the government advice had changed

I think the problem is that the government have said WFH if you can

And unfortunately, your employer agreeing to it seems to fall under the 'if you can' bit

dammit88 · 09/03/2021 14:26

Have they said when they want you back? They may well mean after you second vaccination but want to make the arrangements now?

VaVaGloom · 09/03/2021 14:27

Regarding your safety concerns about returning OP - what would your preference be 3 weeks after your first shot or after your 2nd vaccination?

Again not a personal attack but there are a lot of people e.g. teachers being told its safe to return to workplaces with more than 70 people in total and more than 14 people in one room.

Original poster
Dishmatic · 09/03/2021 14:28

@dammit88

Have they said when they want you back? They may well mean after you second vaccination but want to make the arrangements now?
6th April. Before my 2nd dose!
OP posts:
CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 14:29

Are you on the shielding list, if so then you should know the answer to this from the DHSC letters - the recommendation is to continue to shield until March 31st currently and they have provided information for employers as well as people who are shielding.

The letter also states shielding should continue until everyone is vaccinated so they can see how the vaccine has worked at reducing illness and assess the transmission rates. A little contradictory.

If you were not shielding you don't really have a leg to stand on I'm afraid. Whilst it sucks, there's no protection and your employer could as you back tomorrow if they wanted.

Original poster
Dishmatic · 09/03/2021 14:31

@CockatooZoo

Are you on the shielding list, if so then you should know the answer to this from the DHSC letters - the recommendation is to continue to shield until March 31st currently and they have provided information for employers as well as people who are shielding.

The letter also states shielding should continue until everyone is vaccinated so they can see how the vaccine has worked at reducing illness and assess the transmission rates. A little contradictory.

If you were not shielding you don't really have a leg to stand on I'm afraid. Whilst it sucks, there's no protection and your employer could as you back tomorrow if they wanted.

@CockatooZoo

I’m not on the shielding list.

OP posts:
VaVaGloom · 09/03/2021 14:32

That will be over 3 weeks after your 1sr dose so you will have a good degree of protection by then. People in healthcare settings etc have all been working after 1 dose.

You could ask what measures are in place at work, one way system, masks etc, it may make you feel better

SteelMack · 09/03/2021 14:34

Yeah there's 2,100 people in my building - I don't see that as a free pass for me to bugger off home and leave the other 2099 to it!

Why wouldn't you go to work? I presume you are being paid to do a job, and your employer has put measures in place to make the office safe?

Twizbe · 09/03/2021 14:34

Were you on the shielding list?

If not and 'just' vulnerable then you should be thinking about a return to the office. The first dose has proved very effective at reducing the severity of illness and therefore the need for hospitalisation.

If you have a date of your second jab I think you could reasonably discuss a phased return with a full return after that date.

You should also ask what covid secure means for them, what do they have in place?

Covid is here to stay and your employers clearly want and need you back in the office.

CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 14:35

AIBU to not go back in due to risks?

YANBU - that's a personal decision, but I suspect they will fire you, sadly.

Have your colleagues in the office picked up your workload (any of it) whilst you have been wFH?

Rosieposy89 · 09/03/2021 14:36

I think you should request WFH until after your second dose. If they refuse ask what extra measures will be in place to keep you safe.

CockatooZoo · 09/03/2021 14:36

Why wouldn't you go to work? I presume you are being paid to do a job, and your employer has put measures in place to make the office safe?

Because she has been WFH, as the government advise you should if you can. Unless there's a massive back story about people picking up her workload etc., then it would make sense for her to continue WFH.

Sparklfairy · 09/03/2021 14:36

You could go back to your employer with the date of your second vaccine (when you know it) and suggest a return date two weeks after that.

If they're not happy with that, you could mention the government guidelines of 'work from home if you can' and if necessary ask them for a breakdown of work you absolutely can't do from home, with a view of comprising for example 1 day a week if it was clear your role couldn't be done from home.

If they really push, then agree a date two weeks after your first jab, at which point you'll be 70%+ covered anyway.

Personally I'd just do option 3 as I wouldn't want to be being awkward in the current job market when you're not actually on the shielding list.

Original poster
Dishmatic · 09/03/2021 14:38

@CockatooZoo

Have your colleagues in the office picked up your workload (any of it) whilst you have been wFH?

LOL 😂

I do more more from home! I don’t commute, rarely take a lunch break.

No one has ever had to cover my work.

OP posts:
haveapieceoftoast · 09/03/2021 14:38

they want you back in, you’re not on the shielding list, other people in your office haven’t been able to WFH...I don’t see how you could argue that you should be allowed to continue to WFH. You’ve been very lucky they allowed you to at all if you’re not shielding

2021WillBeGreat · 09/03/2021 14:39

If you're not on the shielding list then it is reasonable to return to work. One vaccine will offer some protection and the office should still be 'covid secure'.

I say this as someone who has had to alter my return to work in the education sector due to the high contact the job involves. As your job doesn't sound high contact and is easier to social distance then this should be fine. They may let you wait until after your second jab but it depends how flexible they are.

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