Employer says I must return to office

[Dishmatic]

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?

@XelaM

I can never understand people who claim working from home is less productive. Being at work 90% of my time (no exaggeration) was spent chatting with colleagues in/out the office/meeting for "marketing" drinks/coffees etc etc etc. Only a fraction of my day was spent on my actual work. At home, I start earlier, finish later, can concentrate on my actual work and am extremely productive. I am also contactable ALL the time.

@XelaM

Totally agree. I think there’s a lot of envy about wfh.

You can always leave your job if you don't agree?

@lovingmyppe

Honestly? People have become used to wfh. They like the fact they can grab a cup of tea and biscuit whenever they want, that no one is looking over their shoulder. They like the fact there's no commute and can get a extra 30 minute lie in. They have been off for so long, and I wouldn't be surprised if the thought of a change in routine isn't freaking people out a bit. Just in general. All the added stress, never mind Covid. There will be many. Not to mentioned the furloughed, who haven't actually been working. It's been a year of this. Each and every employer has the right to request staff to return to work, albeit with appropriate risk assessments and adjustments.

It's a fine balance. I work in healthcare and have been working at my practice all throughout the pandemic. It's been a mental health life saver to be able to leave the house every day. I couldn't imagine day in day out of virtual meetings.

It's going to take a huge adjustment for society to return, hopefully to a safe, but more normal way of working.

@lovingmyppe

I think the fact that you haven’t worked from home though this, shows how little you understand about it working from home.

I’ve found that people who don’t do it, have a really bad perception of what working from home is or involves!

I can’t speak for other people, but I don’t get an extra 30 minutes in bed. Nor have I ever since working from home.
I get up at the exact same time as I always would for work, and follow my usual morning routine.
The hour I spend commuting, I am always on my computer working!
My usual hours of work are 8.30-5.30
Most days I have been working 7.30 - 6pm!!!
Even later, and I’ve put in extra hours on a weekend, all of which I don’t get extra pay for!

Im entitled to an hour lunch and I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve actually taken a full hour and left my desk.

My husband most days brings lunch up to me (he’s also wfh) and I sit and eat at my desk.

Perhaps the impression you get is that people working from home are lazy, but for me, I’m so much more productive!

Hmm there’s going to be a lot of quite messed up office workers having to return in the next few months.
My family member early 30s seems incredibly anxious for not much reason about Covid. Has wfh since last March, haven’t seen friends barely left the house no supermarkets etc
I imagine they’re gonna really struggle with all this. Needs to happen though.
People like myself and husband have been living in the real world the whole time. It’s weird how scared some of the wfh types have become because of being so sheltered

@TheFuckingDogs

My family member early 30s seems incredibly anxious for not much reason about Covid.

You do realise that Covid can be serious for people of ALL ages.
It’s great you’re not worried about it, but lots of people are, and they have good reason to be.

People like myself and husband have been living in the real world the whole time. It’s weird how scared some of the wfh types have become because of being so sheltered

The guidance is and has been for ages, to wfh!

I also think there’s going to be a lot more of this, people not wanting to go back, someone will be anxiety, some will be they just prefer working from home and don’t want to do the commute again, and they will pretend it’s mental health or fear.

Many employers will permit employees to work from home, but there will be a large return to normality where the employer wants the employees in. And a percentage of those employees just won’t want to go back.

Blimey OP. What a pasting!
Simply tell HR you will be back after 2nd vaccination plus 2 weeks.
That is entirely reasonable. That's what I have done. I can work from home. My role is independent of others. I did work from the office for 6 months but that was before vaccine was coming. It seems stupid to risk it so close to being safe. I'm early 50s.

Totally agree. I think there’s a lot of envy about wfh.

Particularly in offices where one person has been permitted to work from home and everyone else hasn't.

OP I think you've had a really hard time on this thread.

You say you have been very productive WFH. Lots of posters saying variations of "well, we only have your word for that" who else's word were they expecting to get?!

There has been no change to government guidance re working from home, the government has not said once you have had 1st dose you should return to the office. This is purely based on your employers interpretation.

You do have a good level of protection 3 weeks after 1 jab but are not fully vaccinated.

I would speak to your employer and try to reach a compromise if you can I.e. you will return after your 2nd jab.

Oh and I wouldn't tell that colleague anything else in the future, sounds like they threw you under the bus.

I hope you get it sorted. Take care

Maybe it is a perception of your productivity though op.

You're working more hours now than you did before. Your working your commute time and your lunch break - to either do the same work which suggests less productive or you're taking work off other people to work longer hours to possibly be seen to ingratiate yourself with the boss

Lots of posters saying variations of "well, we only have your word for that" hmm who else's word were they expecting to get?!

It’s not that. It’s more that the employee often has a very limited understanding of what them working from home means for the business as a whole.

They may think they’re getting through as much as usual, but what systems have to be adjusted to enable them? What about the softer skills they bring to the office like general ideas, feedback for others, informal training for new staff? What about managing the feelings of employees who can’t be facilitated wfh and are getting resentful?

The bottom line is its up to employers how they want to run their business. Whether individuals think they are just as productive wfh or not isn’t actually very relevant to that.

You do realise that Covid can be serious for people of ALL ages.

It can, yes, but statistically at 32, even with some vulnerabilities, you were never at very serious risk.

Now, at 32, with one jab, you’re probably statistically far safer than anyone else in the office.

I’ve already said you’re within your rights to ask them to wait for your second jab, but you should try to take a realistic assessment of the risks to you.

It's up to your employer.
There's two things this matter me think about, firstly and I know you've refuted this but it did sound like you are struggling with anxiety. The perceived risk is nowhere near the real risk. It gets to a point where you're more likely to be seriously injured or killed on the commute than you are from catching Covid in the office. I don't have stats but check them out.

The other issue is why your employer wants you in. Number 1 reason will be fairness I'm sure. Other employees have to go in, so do you.

Personally I'd be looking for a more flexible and understanding employer but that aside, look into just how safe you now are, start moving your life forwards and you'll hopefully soon get past this anxiety.

If you don't want to go back, rock on. There are plenty of people willing to do your job. Unemployment is very high.

If any employees say they don't want to come back, fine. Your resignation is accepted. Your job description will be posted online before the end of the day.

There’s going to be a LOT of this in the next few months, isn’t there?

I'm not hoing to add to the views about your return OP but for the sake of everyone in the office, your (and indeed everyone's) employers would benefit staff by following WHO guidance on ventilation, which is for 10 l/s/person -which is quite a lot! Many buildings will only manage this eith opey windows, obviously hellavalot easier in spring and summer.

To test if the ventilation rate is high enough employers can measure the carbon dioxide levels - less co2 = more fresh air replacing the breath and germs staff are exhaling. 1500 ppm and above = too high, 800 ppm or below = very good and (if combined with masks &/or social distancing, hand washing etc, as safe as we can reasonably get a workplace. I'll go away and try to find a link to the guidance and post it. Its very comprehensive.

Worth anyone who is concerned, sharing the info with their trade union. Basically this is how we need to think about workplaces anyway. Its goid for employers as it reduces absenteeism and may even make people more productive (apparently high co2 levels impair decision-making!

@Dishmatic Well we really hardly do go anywhere!! We go for a walk... that’s it.In the summer when restrictions permitted, we met friends outdoors.Are you suggesting that because I want to wfh I shouldn’t be leaving my house, at all?

No I'm suggesting that at 32 years old, and now thankfully with a vaccine to protect you from Covid, you can begin to live a much fuller life than that.

You want to work from home. That's fair enough to have a preference & it seems safety in the office is not the only factor in your reluctance to return. The sensible thing would be to have that conversation with your employer but as lots of us have pointed out your employer is not just taking into account your wishes/productivity they are also responsible for other staff and the set up and performance of the company generally.

Stop getting snarky with posters, request a meeting with your line manager about the return to work (setting out your preferences) and get outside and enjoy your annual leave / life!

Our office doesn’t have opening windows. NHS dept with patient facing staff. Admin staff have been in PT since the first lock down ended. On rotation to allow greater distancing. We haven’t had a single COVID case in our large department. I’ve noticed my full time WFH friends are all much more anxious than my colleagues and friends who are out in the world more. WFH was to keep the R rate down and prevent community transmission, not to protect young and relatively healthy office workers.

Quite frankly, OP, you need to calm down. You’re being hysterical.

You don’t seem to realise how minimal the risk of covid is to you and how your anxiety here is out of control.

You also don’t seem to appreciate how generous your workplace have actually been in allowing you to work from home in the first place given your next to zero risk.

They have been generous up to now, so either stop taking the mick and go back, or find a new job.

WFH was to keep the R rate down and prevent community transmission, not to protect young and relatively healthy office workers.

Exactly. They’re facing a big job on their hands in rowing back on this.

Here is the WHO guidance
www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240021280

And this is the UK govt guidance on ventilation www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-ventilation-of-indoor-spaces-to-stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus/ventilation-of-indoor-spaces-to-stop-the-spread-of-coronavirus-covid-19

Do empower yourself by understanding the way covid transmits. That way you can be safer, and feel safer too.

Why are you doing an extra hour and a half every day?

@XelaM

I can never understand people who claim working from home is less productive. Being at work 90% of my time (no exaggeration) was spent chatting with colleagues in/out the office/meeting for "marketing" drinks/coffees etc etc etc. Only a fraction of my day was spent on my actual work. At home, I start earlier, finish later, can concentrate on my actual work and am extremely productive. I am also contactable ALL the time.

That just means you were all taking the absolute piss before, unless your employer was encouraging you to spend 90% (no exaggeration as you said) not doing the actual work you were paid to do. There are rubbish employees and decent employees, whether at home or in the office.

I've been working from home but I'll be happy when I can go back, I appreciate not everyone feels the same. However you do not have a right to work from home if the company want you back in The office and advise working from home is not working.
ACAS have a great link below, which she's a section for those who don't want to return to work. Ultimately it is your employers decision, you can challenge it but there's no guarantee you will be successful. You can ask to return following the vaccine but they can and may say no, this is their right as your employer.
www.acas.org.uk/working-safely-coronavirus/returning-to-the-workplace

@Bluenightowl

Because you might not be as productive at home as you are at work? Rubbish. The only reason people managers are pushing people to return to the office is because they need people to manage to keep their own jobs.

Nonsense. We actually could have carried on working office based as we are an essential business - most of our direct competitors did. But we had already invested heavily in technology and comms that enabled a relatively simple transition to home working.

And it has been a success in the context of lockdown as the things that previously precluded home working - client engagement, team initiatives, f2f interviews and training- were not possible during Covid. But this year we barely scraped a profit, we have had no growth and although we avoided any furlough or job losses, its been very tough and some areas such a quality and cash collection have been negatively impacted by their teams home working.

So yes we want teams back in- and sure there are some colleagues who are resisting. Several are convinced they are delivering their role adequately from home. But as a commercial entity, we don't think they are. And we pay the wages. Huge investment has been made in making premises covid secure and we are waiting till first vaccination, but we will be going back to WFH being the exception.

People be careful what some of you wish for.