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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I just walked out of work over covid.

245 replies

organisedmother · 15/12/2021 13:12

When I arrived to work this morning my colleague told me that her friend she was with yesterday had just tested positive for covid and she has done a lft herself and was negative, she hasn’t done a pcr. I work in a very small space with no windows if she has picked up covid I’m more than likely going to get it from her as we share a till, toilet, fridge microwave in such a small space.

I said maybe she should of stayed home until she got a negative pcr, she was with this friend in her house having a drink,no masks of corse, windows shut, I feel like there is a 50/50 chance she will more than likely pick this up.

With Christmas so close and the schools finishing this week I thought is this worth the risk for a 3 hour shift when I could potentially pick this up and spread to my family.

I decided to go home and she said she understood their was a risk and is fine with it.

I feel a little guilty now, but I just keep thinking of the points…

-With her friend in a house chatting who has covid.
-we have no windows so are breathing each others air
-sharing everything at work
-schools closing tomorrow
-Xmas
-only lost out on £30

The nightmare and hassle it would of been if she does have it and I pick it up would of been catastrophic!

Would you of stayed or been out the door

OP posts:
GlamorousHeifer · 15/12/2021 13:14

Well if you're not worried about losing your job it's up to you.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/12/2021 13:15

Well she should really have left rather than you!

Will you lose money/ face any disciplinary over this?

RealBecca · 15/12/2021 13:15

Those are the rules. Anyone you encounter could do the same and unless they tell you you wont know.

MeltedButter · 15/12/2021 13:15

I would have stayed. Even if you live with someone with covid you don't have to isolate anymore.

Everyone's response will be different so what's best for you doesn't mean it's best for everyone.

Sirzy · 15/12/2021 13:16

But your friend is following current guidance (assuming England and vaccinated) so I assume she wouldn’t have got paid if she stayed off?

MiddleParking · 15/12/2021 13:16

Why should she have left? Hmm yes, you’re being ridiculous OP.

minipie · 15/12/2021 13:16

I would have stayed. She hasn’t broken any rules and there are plenty of other ways you can catch it between now and Christmas.

SpringRainbow · 15/12/2021 13:16

Personally, I would have stayed. However, I can understand why you want to leave.

Did you get permission from management?

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 15/12/2021 13:17

I feel like there is a 50/50 chance she will more than likely pick this up.

Confused what are you basing 50/50 on?

ClearButtons · 15/12/2021 13:17

I am not sure I would risk my job for a small chance of catching of covid tbh but entirely your choice! Who authorised you to leave? Is she your manager?

PicaK · 15/12/2021 13:17

She's following guidance.

SparklyLeprechaun · 15/12/2021 13:17

Well, what did your manager have to say when you just left?

ShirleyPhallus · 15/12/2021 13:17

She’s legally doing the right thing

Also, lol:

I feel like there is a 50/50 chance she will more than likely pick this up.

MorningStarling · 15/12/2021 13:18

You were right to leave. But she should have stayed at home until she's had confirmation from a PCR test. It's probably better than 50/50, odds are more likely she hasn't got it, but it's people who don't isolate when they've not had a negative PCR that are the cause of the virus spreading.

anon12345678901 · 15/12/2021 13:18

I would have stayed, she's not doing anything wrong

maryzx · 15/12/2021 13:18

I would have stayed, because I couldn't afford to walk out of work, and I could just as well pick Covid (or worse) up from Waitrose.

guiltynetter · 15/12/2021 13:19

Catastrophic is a bit of a strong term to describe it! You've got a tiny chance of getting covid but I don't think the world will end (unless you're extremely vulnerable and didn't mention it)

SirensofTitan · 15/12/2021 13:19

I feel like there is a 50/50 chance she will more than likely pick this up

Where have you got that stat from? Could you link or post the source please

TheKeatingFive · 15/12/2021 13:19

Did you get authorisation to leave or did you just walk out?

Freddiefox · 15/12/2021 13:20

Today I’ve worked with a 3 children who’s parents have covid. They’re under 5 so don’t even have to test unless with symptoms.

Staff had moaned and groaned. Whilst it’s not great, that’s the job, it can’t be done from home. They have had 2 years to find different jobs where they can work from home.

If they walked out it’s up to them, but I’m not sure they would be welcome back.

ClaudiaWankleman · 15/12/2021 13:20

But your colleague can't/ doesn't need to do a PCR?
She doesn't have symptoms and has been in contact with someone who has covid so she should do an LFT for 7 days. That's the guidance.

So no, YABU.

wishingitwasfriday · 15/12/2021 13:20

She is following the guidelines. You will come into contact with people everyday who have covid but no symptoms. Are you going to wrap yourself in cotton wool and stay home forever?

Gizlotsmum · 15/12/2021 13:20

As mad as it seems if you are fully vaccinated you don’t need to wait for a PCR or isolate. Daily LFT and carry on as normal.

MorningStarling · 15/12/2021 13:20

I have to laugh at the people who say she's doing nothing wrong because she's following the legal guidance. Do you all trust Boris and the Tories to have got the measures right? Weird because everyone seems to hate them at the minute and thinks they're completely untrustworthy!

Hunderland · 15/12/2021 13:20

Is your colleague your boss? Are you likely to lose your job?