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?

Why are people invested in gaslighting the OP?

You seem overly anxious about catching Covid. I say that as a CV person who had the first dose of vaccine today.
I can understand why you have been working from home and given other colleagues have been in your employer has been accommodating but I think after a dose of the vaccine they are within their rights to reassess.

Flu vaccine is far less effective than covid vaccine....

Yes masks and social distancing... So even safer...

@ArosGartref

Why are people invested in gaslighting the OP?

It’s not gaslighting, it’s quite the opposite. It’s referring her to evidence and logic.

If anything she is gaslighting us.

If you’re not on the shielding list then I don’t think you’ll have much choice.

Although lots of people have had no choice about whether they physically go to their workplace throughout this pandemic.

If it makes you any less anxious, my sister is Shielding. CEV, post double lung transplant, triple immunocompromised, obese due to medication and bed bound due to the steroids degrading her bones and causing her spine to collapse. She cannot take effective deep breaths and needs oxygen.
She caught Covid off a district nurse who came to visit, and she was absolutely fine. It can be awful, but not always. On paper, she should have been done for. The Drs prescribed dexamethasone really quickly as we got in touch asking "what on earth do we do?!" and nebulisers and called each day. She was super tired, but her oxygen saturations remained stable and had the district nurse not told us to test when she realised she was positive, I doubt we'd have ever known

Posted too soon, my message wasn't meant to be condescending, just trying to alleviate some fear if possible. I think you're very within your rights to ask to wait until 2-3 weeks after your second vaccination. I would email whoever you need too, so you have a paper trail if they say no, and take it from there

@ArosGartref

You probably won't die is quite a low bar for employers' health and safety obligations.

Isn’t that the government’s bar for sending teachers back to school?

Because of Us4them saying it’s ‘abuse’ to test children or wear masks, we’ve had nearly 50% of kids refuse to do either. Our windows don’t open. We can’t social distance.

I’m sorry, but life has to go on. We all have to get out and do our bit. Measures, as I keep being told, weren’t to protect us individually...they were to protect the NHS becoming overwhelmed. If OP gets sick, apparently it’s good enough that there is space for her in hospital. That’s what I’ve been told right here on MN. Cases are low, it’s time to go back to work.

The sad truth op is that you told someone you had your vaccination and they’ve told people at work. Why have they done that? Probably because they don’t get to work from home and you do, despite not being CEV. Perhaps they think it’s unfair. Perhaps they are picking up stuff you can’t do.

Someone earlier up thread, said how people who are working from home are obviously going to say that they are productive. Because many enjoy it. But it’s not necessarily the best thing for the company, the other staff or the customer. I really haven’t been impressed when I’ve been trying to talk to a customer assistant only to hear their dog barking away in the background.

@LakieLady Which bit of "work from home if you can" don't they understand?

They're a bunch of fuckers

This sort of attitude to employers is thoughtless. It’s not been a bed of roses trying to navigate the pandemic, change working practices, invest in extra protective measures in the workplace, set up people to work remotely and keep companies running to make sure staff still have jobs while handling numerous different employees circumstances /caring responsibilities etc. But obviously they are a bunch of fuckers

Absolutely this! My whole company can effectively wfh, due to the nature of the business. But old fashioned management hates it and prefers praising presenteerism. We are already expected to come it the office, despite government’s advice. 2 people already left the company (for that reason) and more will, I am sure. We are working with a global, multinational corporation whose employers are a bit more forward thinking (or afraid of being sued) and everyone there works from home and will be until it is safe to do so. I am actually not worried for my health at all, but I am extremely pissed off at bosses like mine, who just don’t care and insist the old way is the only good way. If the government had any sense, they would enforce the guidance and fine companies like mine. But no, much easier and petty to fine individuals whilst hundreds of companies ignore the guidance because they are f*ing backwards and don’t give a rat’s arse about their employees. Hopefully, they will stay behind whilst all the talent goes to flexible employers who can see benefit of both and move on with the times.

Completely agree.

Op wants to follow the guidelines set out by the government to protect public health. People on this thread have implied this makes her mentally ill.

@Ijustknowitstimetogo

Absolutely this! My whole company can effectively wfh, due to the nature of the business. But old fashioned management hates it and prefers praising presenteerism. We are already expected to come it the office, despite government’s advice. 2 people already left the company (for that reason) and more will, I am sure. We are working with a global, multinational corporation whose employers are a bit more forward thinking (or afraid of being sued) and everyone there works from home and will be until it is safe to do so. I am actually not worried for my health at all, but I am extremely pissed off at bosses like mine, who just don’t care and insist the old way is the only good way. If the government had any sense, they would enforce the guidance and fine companies like mine. But no, much easier and petty to fine individuals whilst hundreds of companies ignore the guidance because they are f*ing backwards and don’t give a rat’s arse about their employees. Hopefully, they will stay behind whilst all the talent goes to flexible employers who can see benefit of both and move on with the times.

Completely agree.

So much the same here We can wfh just as well and have proved this But the company can insist on us being in and are diing so The one good thing that could come out of this pandemic is wfh if the government supportted it

@Ijustknowitstimetogo

Absolutely this! My whole company can effectively wfh, due to the nature of the business. But old fashioned management hates it and prefers praising presenteerism. We are already expected to come it the office, despite government’s advice. 2 people already left the company (for that reason) and more will, I am sure. We are working with a global, multinational corporation whose employers are a bit more forward thinking (or afraid of being sued) and everyone there works from home and will be until it is safe to do so. I am actually not worried for my health at all, but I am extremely pissed off at bosses like mine, who just don’t care and insist the old way is the only good way. If the government had any sense, they would enforce the guidance and fine companies like mine. But no, much easier and petty to fine individuals whilst hundreds of companies ignore the guidance because they are f*ing backwards and don’t give a rat’s arse about their employees. Hopefully, they will stay behind whilst all the talent goes to flexible employers who can see benefit of both and move on with the times.

Completely agree.

Yep.

OP presumably you're working effectively from home - so what is the reason they're insisting you come in - other than presenteeism? Is you being at home impacting anyone else's job or workload? If not then it's an unreasonable request by them.

I think a lot of people who have been able to hide away at home from any risk do struggle when this has to come to an end. It’s not unusual, everything has been aimed at making people afraid. However, at some point things do have to get more normal, you’ve had the vaccine which will protect you from serious disease, keep that in your mind and take the plunge. It won’t be as bad as you fear. Surely your office can’t just consist of under 40s with no medical conditions, are there other people going back and you could support each other? There’s also additional things you can do to protect yourself- wear a fluid repellent surgical mask, take cleaning wipes and hand sanitiser. Wipe everything down in the morning before you use it. Open a window in the office if you can. Could you ask to sit next to the window?

I think a lot of people who have been able to hide away at home from any risk do struggle when this has to come to an end.

Yep. OP says that she and her DH haven't been anywhere in a year. My neighbours have been like that with far more reason, (70 and shielding) than a 32 year old who isn't CEV,and they're finding it hard to even go out of their front door, despite now being vaccinated.

OP you are highly unlikely to even catch covid, never mind be badly affected by it. Despite your protestations, you clearly are over anxious. There is no justification for you not returning to work if your employers require it. Psychologically I think you need to start venturing out into the world.

There are nurses, teachers, factory workers, supermarket staff, energy workers etc, many (most?) older, and many with more significant risk. It's them going to work which has enabled you to stay home for a year. Someone's been picking and delivering your shopping for starters.

Yes, the government has worked hard to scare us all, but frankly, you are at very little risk if any. If your doctor thought you were, you'd be on the shielding list.

@Dishmatic Nope. We don’t go anywhere. DP wfh

So you are 32 have a condition, but not one that requires shielding under the Gov criteria, and you haven’t been anywhere or seen anyone in a year? Crikey OP it’s a good job you are getting the vaccine so you & your DH can resume some interaction with people.

The management have to look at all employees/company performance not just OPs and some of her colleagues may expect that once she’s vaccinated she will return and attend the office as they do and not be unduly at risk a month after being vaccinated. Despite some protestations that everything can and should now be remote from some posters above that’s simply not the case for all offices!

Anyway OP the best thing to do is speak to HR about your anxiety about returning, it sounds like they have been understanding so far and they may consider extending wfh until after your second vaccine or step 4 removal of restrictions on June 21st.

@ArosGartref the Government were also telling people to return to offices in Aug/Sept and they may well return to that messaging soon (OPs employers have given her a months notice to return).

Sad to see so many so obviously delighted at people being forced back to the office and the return of the same old way of doing things. The same 'shut up and do what you're told crowd' who probably benefit the most from the status quo remaining the same and fight against even the possibility of change.

There was once a vague hope that something good might come out of this whole awful situation. A realisation that the way we work could change without it being the total disaster that vested interests have always predicted it would be. Looks like more than enough people are happy to see that stamped out.

There was once a vague hope that something good might come out of this whole awful situation.

I don’t think long term wfh IS very good for many people, personally.

That is why it is best to keep your personal business (esp medical/finances) to yourself. I never understood why people disclose so much of themselves. The U.K. are a pretty envious bunch. We see it here all the time; “I want to report my cousin for possibly claiming benefits but she has a brand new 70 inch telly”.

Just keep stuff to yourself/immediate trusting family and good friends.

@Notthemessiah do you run a business? Are you offering remote working opportunities? Or are you just moaning about existing businesses? The job market means people can look for remote working positions if that’s their preference. Lots of companies HAVE been able to be flexible and there is nothing stopping employees making a case for flexible working with their HR/ line manager but businesses have a lot of factors to balance in these decisions.

@Notthemessiah

Sad to see so many so obviously delighted at people being forced back to the office and the return of the same old way of doing things. The same 'shut up and do what you're told crowd' who probably benefit the most from the status quo remaining the same and fight against even the possibility of change.

There was once a vague hope that something good might come out of this whole awful situation. A realisation that the way we work could change without it being the total disaster that vested interests have always predicted it would be. Looks like more than enough people are happy to see that stamped out.

I am delighted...the fact we’re all being called back to work is a good thing. It means that I’m one step closer to seeing my family at home; going on holiday and allowing my son a sleepover.

Normality is coming and I’m more concerned that people don’t want it.

@ Totallyfedup1979

You do realise it should be possible to do all of those things and still change the way we work and balance work\life don't you?

@vavagloom

You're kidding yourself if you think that there is some kind of rough balance of power between most businesses and their employees.

From your response I take it you do run a business. No doubt you consider yourself to be one of the 'good' bosses. Maybe you even are, but if so you're definitely in the minority.

I don’t think you’re being at all overly anxious OP. And no, you should not be considered fully vaccinated until you have had both doses.
More to the point, as others have said, your employer is in breach of government regulations if they are calling you into the office when you can work from home.
And the idea of a “COVID secure” indoor space is laughable. There’s no such thing, given this is an airborne virus.

They are only in breach of guidelines not law.

Can people remember the responses on this thread the next time teachers get hounded for saying they aren't keen on returning to full classrooms.