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Original poster

Mandatory Covid test - workplace

98 replies

Etherel · 31/08/2021 08:33

My employer has mandated (via text message, no less) that all staff must take a LFT and provide evidence of this on arrival in a few days' time.

A quick Google search shows that refusing to comply with such a testing requirement may well be considered a disciplinary matter.

I am fully vaccinated and LFTs make me physically sick. Two big reasons why I am considering to protest. But, aside from my personal issues, is this not just too invasive in general?

OP posts:
Rachie1973 · 31/08/2021 08:57

I work in care so test a lot. Does make me laugh that I have to provide ‘proof’ though. I don’t send my smear results into work so why this medical test?

They trust us to dole out controlled meds like Morphine to residents, surely we can be trusted to tell the truth about our covid results?

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 31/08/2021 08:58

@drspouse

Do the nasal only ones look different? We've been doing them for the DCs schools since Jan and we are still doing throat and nose but I'd prefer nose only.
Yeah there's a couple of new types you can get. One of them has really hard foil to peel off though! They also only take 15 minutes!
equuscaballus · 31/08/2021 08:58

I think it sounds awful, i'm also pretty horrified at the callousness of those who suggest you should be dong this even though it makes you physically sick.
I can also see that i'm in the minority here.

IWasBornInAThunderstorm · 31/08/2021 08:59

@Rachie1973

I work in care so test a lot. Does make me laugh that I have to provide ‘proof’ though. I don’t send my smear results into work so why this medical test?

They trust us to dole out controlled meds like Morphine to residents, surely we can be trusted to tell the truth about our covid results?

What proof do you need to send? I always find it weird that I get a text telling me my LFT was negative when I've told them it's negative. Do you have to send that? Or do they ask for a photo?
Spaceformetoo · 31/08/2021 08:59

I think you’ll find this request becomes increasingly common with employers, particularly as we move into autumn/winter. You can object but might find it’s a 1-person fight as most will appreciate its their civic responsibility to do so.

patchoulicloud · 31/08/2021 09:01

It's sensible, we should all be testing at least once a week.

I know LFTs aren't very sensitive but they do pick up asymptomatic cases.

Seeline · 31/08/2021 09:01

@equuscaballus

I think it sounds awful, i'm also pretty horrified at the callousness of those who suggest you should be dong this even though it makes you physically sick. I can also see that i'm in the minority here.
The new tests don't require a throat swab, just nasal.
MadeOfStarStuff · 31/08/2021 09:04

YABU

it’s a sensible requirement from your employer to protect their staff.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/08/2021 09:04

@Rachie1973

I work in care so test a lot. Does make me laugh that I have to provide ‘proof’ though. I don’t send my smear results into work so why this medical test?

They trust us to dole out controlled meds like Morphine to residents, surely we can be trusted to tell the truth about our covid results?

There are people who go into work with symptoms ,I know of two carers who did. You can't judge people by your own standards unfortunately. Plenty of people have a cough but don't test because they think a Covid cough is a hacking one.

Your smear test only affects you not the people at work so it's not comparable.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 31/08/2021 09:04

Children of 11 years of age manage to do them twice a week. Why should you be different?

Just do your nose.

PreacherTeacher · 31/08/2021 09:05

@Etherel I ordered mine from the gov website. They usually turn up the next day.

@drspouse mine can in a green box and the stuff inside is slightly different. The swaps are much fluffier. Almost luxurious. Can you tell I've been testing twice a week since they have been available due to my job? 😂

whosaidtha · 31/08/2021 09:06

We know that vaccinated people can still catch and transmit the virus. I assume that they are worried if one person has it it will spread through the office and cause a massive staffing crisis as everyone goes off sick. Very sensible and you'd be silly to protest. It takes less than a minute to do the test then you finish getting ready while it does it's thing.

Sushirolls · 31/08/2021 09:09

@equuscaballus

I think it sounds awful, i'm also pretty horrified at the callousness of those who suggest you should be dong this even though it makes you physically sick. I can also see that i'm in the minority here.
I agree.

I don't see how it can be mandated just by a text. What about data storage, risk assessment etc if they're expecting you to have a medical procedure, which this is.

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 31/08/2021 09:13

I'd say no as well OP. I've done my bit by being vaccinated, I'd refuse to stick a swab up my nose for no reason, too.

They do know that LFTs are as useful as a chocolate teapot?

I would just email in saying that the tests are invasive and distressing for you, you've been vaccinated and you won't be testing unless you have symptoms, in which case you'll put up with the distress caused by having the PCR.

I am completely with you, I can't stand things up my nose (eg wear a nose clip when swimming and never use a nasal spray) and have a highly developed gag reflex too. I wish everyone could use the test they were using for the athletes at the Tokyo Olympics where they just stuck the swab in their mouth.

Of course, that's the other option. Just stick it in your mouth. If it doesn't work properly - well they are useless anyway.

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 31/08/2021 09:15

@whosaidtha

We know that vaccinated people can still catch and transmit the virus. I assume that they are worried if one person has it it will spread through the office and cause a massive staffing crisis as everyone goes off sick. Very sensible and you'd be silly to protest. It takes less than a minute to do the test then you finish getting ready while it does it's thing.
It's not that easy to do them. Unless they have changed them. I was actually surprised by how many components there were to the test and what a faff it was.

And if they are that worried about a staffing crisis in the office people can continue to work from home.

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 31/08/2021 09:16

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow

Children of 11 years of age manage to do them twice a week. Why should you be different?

Just do your nose.

Same argument applies to all the people who "can't" wear a mask. Just because you don't find it a problem for you, doesn't mean others don't find it a problem.
rookiemere · 31/08/2021 09:17

@lockdownmadnessdotcom once you've done LFT a few times they become much less faffy, although I hate to think about the impact on the environment of all the separate plastic wrappers and bits per test.

Formaldeheidi · 31/08/2021 09:21

What’s invasive is catching COVID from work, not being able to work and losing money, not being able to pay bills or rent. That’s without talking about the impact on the company. I know a lot of people are in this position and/or are CEV and having to return to the office really scared. Doing LFTs is just one step to stop this happening.

I work for the NHS and I do 2 LFTs a week and a PCR fortnightly. I hate it. I have been sick with it, especially when I’ve done them first thing in the morning. For me the nose bit is much much worse and if I could get out of it, I would in a heartbeat. But I know I work with people that cannot afford to catch COVID from me for whatever reason, so I suck it up.

SachaStark2 · 31/08/2021 09:23

Exactly as rookiemere says, once you’re doing them twice or three times a week, it only takes a minute. It’s like brushing your teeth, just becomes part of your routine.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 31/08/2021 09:25

Same argument applies to all the people who "can't" wear
a mask. Just because you don't find it a problem for you
doesn't mean others don't find it a problem.

This is about a child of 11 managing a test, that an adult can’t seem to tolerate. It isn’t about people choosing to wear/ not wear masks.

HarrietsChariot · 31/08/2021 09:27

As far as I'm aware, my employment contract doesn't state that I am obliged to insert things into my body as a part of my job.

I am vaccinated, I will wear a mask, but I draw the line at shoving things up my nose. It's so much more invasive than having the vaccine was.

SoupDragon · 31/08/2021 09:29

It's so much more invasive than having the vaccine was.

Wiping a swab round your nose is more invasive than having a drug injected into your body...?

SoupDragon · 31/08/2021 09:31

This is about a child of 11 managing a test, that an adult can’t seem to tolerate.

I can not do a throat swab at all. DD can.

I find it odd that people really can't grasp that there are different levels of gag reflex - I can't get anywhere near my tonsils without gagging.

Jemand · 31/08/2021 09:35

I am vaccinated, I will wear a mask, but I draw the line at shoving things up my nose. It's so much more invasive than having the vaccine was.

More invasive than sticking a needle in your arm? More invasive than breathing in someone else's covid germs? Really?

Jemand · 31/08/2021 09:36

With infections running at around 30,000 a day and deaths at around 100+ a day, I must say I can't get too worked up about this.