Can my employer ban me from the office?

[Anothercovidthread]

NC.
I have recently started a new job. It is a non customer facing office job, based in Scotland. The company is very large. I have been working from home since I began the job due to covid restrictions. Today, we were told that we will return to the office towards the end of the month and going forwards we will do 3 days in, and 2 days from home. However, to enter the office, you must show proof of having had 2 covid vaccines. My employer will not store details of who has been vaccinated, you just need to show the info to enter. If you have not had the vaccine you are not allowed in the office unless special circumstances and permissions are agreed directly with HR.

I'm still in probation so very concerned about kicking up a fuss but I think this is very wrong.

1. Why should I have to share medical information with reception staff on a daily basis for the foreseeable?
2. Can the company legally ban people from the office for not having a non mandatory vaccine?
3. Assuming that if you have some kind of non vax agreement with HR, you are provided with some other documentation allowing entry to the office, is the company allowed to insist that its shown on a daily basis to whoever is on reception?

AIBU, the employer is just taking steps to keep people safe?

I think its horrendous forcing ppl to be vaccinated to go to work.
Vaccine doesn't stop you catching it or spreading it.
Sorry OP I would hate to it too.
Not everyone wants to be vaccinated and that's okay

Same here!!

@Mummyoflittledragon

I’m still suffering from side effects of the vaccine. It does happen.

Same here! And will continue to...no one gives a shit though

we have to do a twice weekly lateral flow, do you?

@maxbabi
Shit isn’t it? You are the only person, who paid any attention to my post. Funny that.

Oh, you're one of those people...

@maxbabi

I think its horrendous forcing ppl to be vaccinated to go to work. Vaccine doesn't stop you catching it or spreading it. Sorry OP I would hate to it too. Not everyone wants to be vaccinated and that's okay

Bingo! I'm surprised it took 5 pages..It reduces spread and severity. Reduces.

I don't think YABU. I am concerned about the erosion of civil liberties and the imposition of "passes" to allow people to go about their daily life. For the record I am double vaccinated, wear a mask and keep my distance but that doesn't mean I want to be part of this descent into an authoritarian society where only the compliant get the benefits of work and social events. Imo the decision to have medical treatment or vaccine is a personal one.

I'm frankly shocked at the number of people who are happy with where this seems to be going.

“Why did you leave your last job”

“I refused to be vaccinated”

“Goodbye”

@Anothercovidthread you mention theatres. Just as an FYI the theatre company ATG (which owns the Edinburgh Playhouse and Glasgow Kings - so two of Scotland’s biggest theatres) DOES require proof of a Covid pass to gain entry. So not quite true that you don’t require proof of vaccination (or negative test) for entry.

You can also get another job. Are you afraid someone might steal your medical Information. For what? You probably have your reason to not want to be vaccinated. I hope it's backed up by medical doctors. The anti vaxxers must think this is a global conspiracy. 2021, millions have had the vaccines. Please reconsider.

Being vaccinated means you can spread it just a much as the unvaxxed so cut the "don't you care about your colleagues?" hyperbolic crap.

It is absolutely outrageous that they are asking, op.

Oh and bring on your probationary period does not trump employment law FACT, so u you cannot and won't be sacked.

This is a question of competing rights - your right to privacy in respect of whether you've had the jag, v your colleagues' right to a safer working environment.

Obviously, your employer is going to prioritise your colleagues' right to a safe work environment over your right to privacy in respect of the vaccine.

You have to decide if this is the hill you want to die on, or come to an alternative arrangement with your work (like a negative lft etc)

It's their premises, they are absolutely entitled to control who comes in and out.

@Anothercovidthread

Get a vaccine and show your pass and get on with it.

Jeez

@DollyDinkle

Being vaccinated means you can spread it just a much as the unvaxxed so cut the "don't you care about your colleagues?" hyperbolic crap.

It is absolutely outrageous that they are asking, op.

Not actually true.

We had to tell our work for insurance purposes, and we have to provide proof of twice weekly lateral flow.
And I don’t mind considering I was furloughed twice.

It was proven, actually.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59077036

@Namechangedforthethousandthtim

This is really bad, as there has been significant research to show that a large number of those who got serious and life changing vaccine side effects already had natural immunity from covid when they were vaccinated. Forcing people to get vaccinated when they already have significant antibodies from having covid, is not only stupid but actually extremely dangerous. I can understand people being nervous but this is ridiculous.

All five of us caught Covid badly in March 2020. Three of us are fully vaxed (2 xAZ, 1x Pfizer) and 2 have had one Pfizer jab.

None of us have any lasting effects from the jab. And there's a growing body of research showing that having the jab improves outcomes for long Covid sufferers.

It wouldn't be ideal if the whole team came down with covid but it wouldn't be catastrophic.

How bloody callous of you! How do you know how COVID would affect anyone in the team.

Don't be a dick, your vaccination status isn't the same as other medical information. It's a public health issue.

@DriftingBlue

It would just be more efficient to cancel the passes or anyone who has not provided proof of vaccination or a valid medical exemption. Once a person provides the documentation to HR, they can have the pass reinstated.

That's what they did at my work - I just started a new job, and when they did my badge they asked ro see my EU covid vaccine certificate, then they updated my badge and now I can just come straight in. Otherwise you have to do 3 lateral flows a week. I mean they also made me do do medical this week, including a drugs test. There are lots of examples of having to provide medical info to get access to work etc. If you go to uni in the UK, if you come from a country where TB is endemic you need to submit a chest xray to prove you don't have it - I remember seeing than when I matriculated.

I don't know where anti-vaxxers have picked up this idea, thst their right to participate in society without being vaccinated or tested is somehow protected, or should be - millions of people have died of covid, it would have been millions more if we hadn't all accepted massive restrictions on our freedom for the last 18 months, health systems all over the world are overwhelmed with covid patients and we don't really have any way to reduce hospitalisation other than vaccines and physical distance, so I expect most governments will not protect your wish to participate in society while voluntarily unvaccinated - I think most will prioritise the freedom and safety of the majority of the population who got the vaccine or who couldn't get it due to age etc.

www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00648-4/fulltext

Peak viral load no difference in vaxxed or unvaxxed.

I am shocked how many people just allow your freedom and rights to be taken away so easily without fighting it. You never have to provide proof ever, your medical records are private and confidential, say no and threaten legal action for it.