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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:
Lacedwithgrace · 15/12/2021 15:25

I would leave too, and you were right to do what feels comfortable and what is safe for everyone else as well as you as clearly she doesn't care enough.

ElleGettingBetter · 15/12/2021 15:35

@HailAdrian

Some of your heads are well and truly in the clouds. You reckon all employers are OK with staff just sacking work off even though 'the rules' say they can be there? Wake up.
Nobody is saying that! Obviously the OP has risked her job, it’s up to her to weigh up the risks and decide if it’s worth leaving work for. She obviously decided it was.
Whatinthelord · 15/12/2021 15:37

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable as you are perfectly right to prioritise what you think is best for your health and family.

However personally I wouldn’t have left. I’d have probably just have accepted that I am as likely to catch COVID through her as any other multiple of bugs and viruses from other people I’m coming into contact with.

ClaudiaJ1 · 15/12/2021 15:42

@Whatinthelord

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable as you are perfectly right to prioritise what you think is best for your health and family.

However personally I wouldn’t have left. I’d have probably just have accepted that I am as likely to catch COVID through her as any other multiple of bugs and viruses from other people I’m coming into contact with.

Covid is not like just any other multiple bugs and viruses though is it?
motherrunner · 15/12/2021 15:43

I’m a teacher. If I, or any of my colleagues,’walked out ever time we were contact with someone who had covid at home there wouldn’t be anyone left to teach!

ThisissoSHIT · 15/12/2021 15:46

Nobody is saying that! Obviously the OP has risked her job, it’s up to her to weigh up the risks and decide if it’s worth leaving work for. She obviously decided it was.

Since when did we encourage people to risk their livelihoods!? It's not ok.

Original poster
organisedmother · 15/12/2021 15:47

I didn’t risk my job. Zero risk of losing job

OP posts:
Dontforgetyourbrolly · 15/12/2021 15:48

OP obviously felt the need to boast about share it . See you in the Daily Mail tomorrow !

ElleGettingBetter · 15/12/2021 15:51

@ThisissoSHIT

Nobody is saying that! Obviously the OP has risked her job, it’s up to her to weigh up the risks and decide if it’s worth leaving work for. She obviously decided it was.

Since when did we encourage people to risk their livelihoods!? It's not ok.

Are you usually so over dramatic?

The OP had already left work before posting this - nobody encouraged her to do anything.

AliceA2021 · 15/12/2021 15:55

Her friend is positive and she spent a considerable amount of time in close contact with friend so may or may not have it.

Your husband is CEV and so you are taking extra precautions. Your boss is fine and you lose £30 which you are fine with. You don't want to spoil your Christmas by getting it, should she have it and then may have passed on.

Ignore the ruder posters, your life, your choice, your risk for your CEV husband

Original poster
organisedmother · 15/12/2021 15:56

Yes I love boasting about it, this is the strangest response so far!

OP posts:
VaccineSticker · 15/12/2021 15:57

The current guidance/rules are not there to protect you, they are to protect the economy and the nhs.
Glad you walked out OP.
People saying she should have not walked out if work how would you feel isolating over Xmas? No you won’t like it.
Bet most of you oppose a lock down but are happy for OP to get locked up over Xmas if she tested positive?
You did the right thing OP.

Scandisaurus · 15/12/2021 15:57

Yabu for the would of instead of would have. Sorry. 🙈

ThisissoSHIT · 15/12/2021 16:01

Nice try, @ElleGettingBetter but it's pretty clear who is 'over dramatic' on this thread and others like it. :)

mumwon · 15/12/2021 16:04

I actually saw my gp last week (I know! rare!) & she had had to isolate the week before because she had come into contact with someone positive (family member) she told me that the rules for nhs workers are different & raised her eyebrows - she meant she thought the new rules for the rest of us are far to lenient, basically a "you could say that but I can't possibly comment""

ElleGettingBetter · 15/12/2021 16:05

@ThisissoSHIT

Nice try, *@ElleGettingBetter* but it's pretty clear who is 'over dramatic' on this thread and others like it. :)
Yes, how over dramatic of me to agree with the OP (who has no risk of losing her job and a CEV husband) that she was right to leave work if she felt that best for her and her family.

Completely rational to suggest we’re all encouraging her to lose her livelihood.

I’m off for a lie down in a darkened room to calm my hysterical self down.

Nickwinkle · 15/12/2021 16:09

@Inastatus There is an incubation period where you may get a neg lateral flow but then a couple of days later you could get positive. Plus, lateral flow aren't always accurate and you're best getting a PCR if you've been in direct contact with someone.

Like I said, it's down to personal risk and if OP wants to walk out until they're positive it's safe and there's no risk of covid then I fully support that...

Sh05 · 15/12/2021 16:14

If my manager was as lenient and understanding then I'd have done the same

sessell · 15/12/2021 16:16

All these people giving examples of not catching it after a social are talking about Delta not Omicron. This is different. It is highly contagious. My DD has just brought it home from uni. I did not go on the pub social the day after she tested positive. Why would I risk infecting all these people. Omicron triggers pos test results more quickly, sometimes 2 days, and contagion a day before that. My other adult children now don't want to risk coming home for Xmas and getting stuck in quarantine like me. Our Xmas is screwed. OP you did the right and smart thing and I wish you a happy Xmas with your family.

MrsHamlet · 15/12/2021 16:18

Every year 11 in my class has had covid this term. I've been expected in work every day as normal.

girlmom21 · 15/12/2021 16:18

@Sh05

If my manager was as lenient and understanding then I'd have done the same
They're not that lenient and understanding. OP isn't getting paid.
Ionlydomassiveones · 15/12/2021 16:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 15/12/2021 16:29

You've done absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to keep yourself safe, OP.

HaveringWavering · 15/12/2021 16:32

@organisedmother

I didn’t risk my job. Zero risk of losing job
But the outcome must have been one of the following:
  1. Colleague has to do twice as much work to cover you
  2. Custom is lost as colleague can’t keep up with customer flow
  3. Jobs that don’t involve dealing with customers, such as stock ordering, organising etc did not get done.

If none of these things happened as a result of you leaving, your employer doesn’t need two staff and might realise you could be made redundant!

guardiansofthegalaxychocs · 15/12/2021 16:33

I wouldn’t choose to be with someone socially in that scenario. But no way I would walk out of my job when someone was following the rules. I would assume it would be at least a verbal warning.