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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Boss wants people to arrange booster jab for a Friday

181 replies

Wantubackforgood · 07/12/2021 18:01

DP had just come home and the owner of the company he works for has suggested that staff should only be arranging booster jabs for a Friday after work so that if they suffer side effects they won't need to take time off .
For context,DP had one day off after his third jab .There have been a couple of others off in the last few weeks.These are all people who would never normally take a day off and only get SSP .

AIBU to think this is a shocking way to treat people who are trying to do the right thing ?

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 07/12/2021 19:54

I had my booster plus flu last Friday. I slept the whole of Saturday and Sunday.

serengtisprinter · 07/12/2021 19:56

Seems sensible to me.

Notthemessiah · 07/12/2021 19:56

You lot do realise that work is just that? A means to an end rather than the end itself?

Half the reason we are being pressured to have vaccinations isn’t to protect us but so we don’t take time off work (so for the companies’ sake). Why the fuck should we feel shitty on one of our two days off work rather than taking one of the five days off them instead?

You owe your employer exactly the same loyalty as they would show to you.

Guavaf1sh · 07/12/2021 19:57

Sensible. Too many people are using covid for all sorts of paid days off

daisypond · 07/12/2021 19:58

Why do people assume they are going to be off sick for a day or two afterwards? I don’t know anyone who had any side effects from the vaccines or booster. I had the booster a couple of months ago and no side effects, and I’m immunocompromised. My workplace was keen for staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and gave everyone time off in work time to do so. They don’t want people off work with covid. I’m shocked by anyone who willingly delays the jab for a non-sensible reason - and assuming that you just might get side-effects is non-sensible.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/12/2021 20:02

I assume those who think this is an unreasonable ask of the company also wouldn’t complain if their workload was increased because someone has to take a day of sick?

I've covered for people enough times that they can cover for me if necessary! If I wanted mine on a Friday it would mean a wait of another week as I don't get back from holiday until Friday afternoon and surely it's in everybody's interest that, if I have to have it, I have the booster ASAP.

Moonbabysmum · 07/12/2021 20:02

Surely most people have commitments at weekends as well, and this cost to Christmas, things booked family and friends to visit etc. It's not like everyone can just lie in the sofa and watch netflix, and even if they can, is it any better that it's on an employees well deserved break time, then work? Book it for when you can get a slot, and leave it upto chance who would take the hit of necessary.

NMC2022 · 07/12/2021 20:03

@daisypond

Why do people assume they are going to be off sick for a day or two afterwards? I don’t know anyone who had any side effects from the vaccines or booster. I had the booster a couple of months ago and no side effects, and I’m immunocompromised. My workplace was keen for staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and gave everyone time off in work time to do so. They don’t want people off work with covid. I’m shocked by anyone who willingly delays the jab for a non-sensible reason - and assuming that you just might get side-effects is non-sensible.
I was pretty unwell after my first AZ, and ok after my second so my third was a bit of an unknown I decided it was best to have it on a Saturday in case I was unwell, the same as I have extra UHT milk in and paracetamol! Rather be prepared and it all be fine Same again for my 4th, will probably try and book it for a Friday evening or Saturday morning
HoppingPavlova · 07/12/2021 20:06

On one hand it’s sensible, but on the other if every working person only did it on a Friday, I can’t see that working well logistically and many would be waiting several months for a Friday slot.

rookiemere · 07/12/2021 20:07

I hate this assumption that people who do suffer side effects after vaccinations or boosters are likely swinging the lead. I've heard of a few folk who have been poorly after their booster. I certainly felt rubbish the day after my first vaccine.

I must get a gold star though. My booster is booked the day before I start two weeks annual leave with no holiday plans.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/12/2021 20:07

I had mild side effects with AZ. The first one I felt sick and couldn't sleep so I rang work and said I'd be starting late as I was going back to bed (I do enough extra hours so I didn't feel guilty). I was fine for the second one though. I still have a stiff and painful shoulder but that's a whole other story!

CloudyStorms · 07/12/2021 20:09

Seems fair enough tbh. As long as they are just asking if a Friday is available they choose that over another day.

gannett · 07/12/2021 20:11

@Sirzy

I assume those who think this is an unreasonable ask of the company also wouldn’t complain if their workload was increased because someone has to take a day of sick?

Or if an appointment or delivery was cancelled because the person had become ill after the vaccine?

Common sense says if possible pick to have it when it will cause least disruption

It's fair to pick to have it when it will cause least disruption to our leisure or family time, which we should be prioritising above the time we give to companies anyway.
laalaaland · 07/12/2021 20:12

All the staff where I worked had their first vaccine arranged for them by the company on a bank holiday weekend to ensure business wasn't affected. It's a small business, with specific staff/client ratios. We understood. Not ideal, but if the business went under we'd be out of a job.

HollaHolla · 07/12/2021 20:16

@Notthemessiah

You lot do realise that work is just that? A means to an end rather than the end itself?

Half the reason we are being pressured to have vaccinations isn’t to protect us but so we don’t take time off work (so for the companies’ sake). Why the fuck should we feel shitty on one of our two days off work rather than taking one of the five days off them instead?

You owe your employer exactly the same loyalty as they would show to you.

I think it entirely depends on what you do. Estate agent, accountant, higher education administrator (me!) - no-one will die from us being off, if needed. ICU consultant, nurse, Tesco delivery guy, firefighter, teacher - certainly all more disruptive. Y’know, that’s why these were all classed as key workers. It would be more of an issue if they’re off.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/12/2021 20:18

It's fair to pick to have it when it will cause least disruption to our leisure or family time, which we should be prioritising above the time we give to companies anyway.

This. I work enough hours as it is, more so now I'm working from home. My time off is precious and hopefully I won't have any side effects anyway! (I'm hoping if I do they don't start until after the end of the Grand Prix on Sunday!)

HellonHeels · 07/12/2021 20:22

@laalaaland

All the staff where I worked had their first vaccine arranged for them by the company on a bank holiday weekend to ensure business wasn't affected. It's a small business, with specific staff/client ratios. We understood. Not ideal, but if the business went under we'd be out of a job.
How did your employer access your medical records to make these appointments?
DanielRicciardosSmile · 07/12/2021 20:25

I've just booked my booster for the evening before my day off. DH has done the same, and I've booked DS's second jab for a Friday afternoon. The booking site lets you see appointment times for the next 3 weeks.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 07/12/2021 20:30

hellon if I remember correctly - initially people who were in front line jobs had to have their vaccines organised through work to ensure they were given to only front line staff.

Im not sure how they managed to get a set day though.

MrsColon · 07/12/2021 20:30

@Guavaf1sh

Sensible. Too many people are using covid for all sorts of paid days off
Maybe where you work - where I work people are working through (sometimes) severe covid symptoms, although senior leaders are telling people in no uncertain terms to rest and take time off to get better. Our CEO had covid last week, and made a point of not logging on for 10 days to set a good example - if people are feeling too unwell to work they shouldn't be working!
Polmuggle · 07/12/2021 20:35

It's how most decent employees think! It was very telling which member of my team thought it was hilarious that I booked mine for after work on a Friday, and merrily went for his middle of a Tuesday mocking me...

Hoppinggreen · 07/12/2021 20:38

I would have a problem with it really
If I was struggling to get an appointment though I would take what I could get but if they were plenty and I had a choice of a Thursday or Friday I would take the Friday in case I felt unwell next day

50ShadesOfCatholic · 07/12/2021 20:39

Seems very sensible, why wouldn't you?

NewPapaGuinea · 07/12/2021 20:41

I purposely booked mine for a weekday so if I have side-effects it’s during the week. Weekends are short and valuable enough as it is, sod being ill through it.

youkiddingme · 07/12/2021 20:42

It's hardly practical if every company adopts the same policy.