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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no to going back to office until I've had vaccine & restrictions lifted?

251 replies

Willow79 · 09/04/2021 22:20

I live in Scotland and have been wfh for a year. I'm late 20s and asthmatic. Basically I wouldnt feel safe going back to physical work until I've at least had the vaccine. I know I'm young but I have friends with long covid and the prospect really scares me.

Anyway over the last 2 weeks my boss has been asking colleagues to meet our clients in physical meetings again. They travel there together by car and spend time with multiple teams of people.

Today was the first time the boss suggested I do this soon and another client also put pressure on me for the first time saying they want to meet soon as things go back to 'normal'.

AIBU to not want to do this seeing as the rule is a phased return to work in June?

OP posts:
Elsielouise13 · 09/04/2021 23:02

@Willow79

Exactly this!

For people who 'don't have the luxury' I am really sorry about that. But that doesn't mean others should be forced back in before risk assessments carried out and workers feel safe.

The fact is the job can still entirely be done from home and that is the legislation until June.

So some should be forced to go back because... they don’t have the luxury.

And you have determined you don’t have to because you think all aspects of your work including development of client relationships are just as effective from home.

I GET Scottish law may be different in parts and have no interest in debating which parts but...

Stop making excuses for not wanting to go to do your job in the place your employer wishes you to.

Myself and a fair few colleagues were pretty nervous on occasion about sharing office spaces over the last 12 months. But we had a job to do so did it.

Risk assessments- wash your hands, wear a mask if you can’t stay a distance away from your colleagues. Pretty simple.

It’s starting to sound like an excuse

Bringonspring · 09/04/2021 23:08

Clients pay your bills ultimately. Same for my firm, they have promised to let people WFH but we are a client business, if our clients demand in person we’ll have to meet in person.

GiveMeNovocain · 09/04/2021 23:13

Wanting real life interaction is an excellent reason for returning to face to face meetings. If you were at much risk you'd have had at least one vaccination already.

PoTheDog · 09/04/2021 23:22

I think you are underestimating the "power" of that "banter" with clients. It's so important to build and keep that rapport.

jelly79 · 09/04/2021 23:22

Have you had the first jab?
They are obliged to ensure that social distancing and covid safe guidelines are followed.

Original poster
Willow79 · 09/04/2021 23:25

@jelly79

Have you had the first jab? They are obliged to ensure that social distancing and covid safe guidelines are followed.
No I haven't @jelly79

I well understand the importance of building rapport with clients. We have done a decent job of it for a year now and I don't think waiting a few more months is too much to ask for the sake of everyone feeling safer.

Didnt they say we would all have a vaccine by June or July? I would feel far more at ease once I have had it and know others have too

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 10/04/2021 00:39

I think you need to ask for a risk assessment if you haven’t had one. Having asthma actually lowers your risk on the individual assessment though (unless CEV or severe), so your individual risk will come out as very low. There is an obligation to reduce risk and you could address car sharing, only going to covid secure areas etc as part of that. I don’t know about Scotland, is there an exception to wfh rule if your employer says your job can’t be done efficiently at home?

marnieja · 10/04/2021 00:46

People are just using covid as an excuse now for things they don't want to do. The risks of you doing other things even driving are so much worse. It's going to have to go back to some kind or normality at some point and you can't hide behind behind "cev" forever although you're not because you would have had the vaccine if you were. Yes you can't work from home for forever

MiddlesexGirl · 10/04/2021 00:51

^^ That was meant to be a Scottish link. Make sure you change the location tab to Scotland

osbertthesyrianhamster · 10/04/2021 00:56

So a company is supposed to lose clients in one of the biggest recessions in history because employees think they can hide away forever from coronavirus? Yeah, that's so going to work with so many out there desperate for a job, any job just now.

YABVU. This shit needs to stop!

osbertthesyrianhamster · 10/04/2021 00:59

I well understand the importance of building rapport with clients. We have done a decent job of it for a year now and I don't think waiting a few more months is too much to ask for the sake of everyone feeling safer.

But they're the ones employing you and paying your bills. Everyone feeling safer? Most people are so fed up and done with this shit they want to get back to normal.

SD1978 · 10/04/2021 01:07

If you're on the shielding list/ have notification you're supposed then they need to do an OH&S meeting to confirm they are covid safe. I understand not wanting to return to work but the reality is that we now can, and should. It sounds like your anxieties aren't based in a huge risk increase, more you e enjoyed the current status.

Lalliella · 10/04/2021 01:09

Isn’t the guidance to still work from home if you can? So your boss should t be forcing you to go back in. YANBU OP, and I don’t really understand why people are saying the opposite, and why there are so many nasty people on this thread.

marnieja · 10/04/2021 01:12

People are not being nasty. I do think people who would have preferred this set up before covid even happened are trying to prolong it. I don't believe that people are worried about the risks they are making out to be. Can the op say what they are worried about / the risks etc

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 01:45

YABU I've been working throughout the whole thing, think I got to WFH for 1 day. I've got asthma but to be fair it's not bad. But yea YABU op get on with it now.

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 01:47

I've not had a first vaccine and been client facing throughout. Not NHS and too young for one yet.

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 01:49

People are just taking the mick now and have got lazy.

Keepitonthedownlow · 10/04/2021 01:53

What a horrible position that your employer has put you in. Will there be any way to social distance at these meetings? Ventilation?

Littlefluffyclouds13 · 10/04/2021 01:59

@FireflyRainbow

People are just taking the mick now and have got lazy.
This. 100% Try working in a cramped, poorly ventilated school. I'm 50 and have just cracked on with it. Like millions of others who are older and are genuinely vulnerable to covid. You're in your 20s and have asthma, which last time I checked isn't on the vulnerable list.
FixItUpChappie · 10/04/2021 02:12

People are just taking the mick now

^^This in spades

LouScot · 10/04/2021 04:45

Hi @Willow79 I don't think you're being unreasonable. Like you, I'm in Scotland and the Scottish Government advice is to work at home still where at all possible. If your job can be done at home then it should be until this guidance changes. Previous posters' advice if contacting environmental health is good.

LouScot · 10/04/2021 04:50

And to those who think it's taking the mick, this is the official government guidance here in Scotland. Employers are being reminded of this regularly by the Scottish Government, so @Willow79 is not the one being unreasonable. Sticking to this guidance is the right thing to do. Totally appreciate some people can't work from home, but those that can need to, in Scotland at least.

PurpleOkapi · 10/04/2021 05:39

You're not being unreasonable to not want to do it. You are being unreasonable to expect to be allowed to not do it when clients are demanding it. Sometimes what you want and what you can do while still keeping your job are two very different things.

ChrissyPlummer · 10/04/2021 06:27

@Lalliella I agree with you. Very interesting the replies on here compared to the thread about hairdressers and highlights 🤔. I have worked throughout and have a DH who is CEV FWIW.

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