Page 7 | Threatened with losing my job

Lemonyfuckit · 20/01/2022 14:10

Sorry OP, read the rest of the thread think you said it was Astra zeneca. Im so sorry you're having to deal with this, it's infuriating (and worrying). As you say, and given the issues we've had/are having re my DH's participation, I get this is all unprecedented but given the huge bureaucratic nightmares trial participants are facing just to continue going about their daily lives (continuing doing their jobs, travelling, the usual freedoms we take for granted) it sure as hell puts you off ever ever volunteering in a trial again which is nuts as we would all be completely screwed now if it wasn't for all of you who have volunteered, the system should be smoothing your way not making things impossible (and for utterly infuriating incompetent reasons). You have my full sympathies OP.

mellongoose · 20/01/2022 14:50

@Finallylostit

Yesterday, I got a letter and a delightful email in my work email telling me I am going to lose my job unless I get vaccinated.

Yes I work for the NHS.

This is insulting and rude when those in power think to threaten people without getting their data /facts correct.

May 2020 - I received my first vaccine as part of the first vaccine trial in the world. By the end of June 2020 I had my second dose. In June 2021 - I had a new trial booster.

Problem is if you had your vaccine as part of the trials that helped move the world back to normal - then the systems do not recognise it as being had. The NHS app will give me a covid pass and says i have had it but it is not considered the real thing that everyone else got after being tried on people like me.

I have to email my proof to them to prove ~I have had it. 3 emails later and I have had to send in passport details, vaccine trial details, this detail that detail etc etc.

Today 'i got invited to a meeting with my manager to discuss the implications of my refusenik beliefs and to inform me that as of April 1st I will not be employed by the NHS. That said person could not see how frustrating it is for someone who has been vaccinated all along but systems do not recognise it and still asked me for proof - just pushed me over the edge today.

Whilst I appreciate this is adminstritative it really is insulting that they can not get this right. I and many of my NHS colleagues volunteered blindly into a trial not knowing what the hell would happen to help the world.

our thanks for helping move the world on - threatened with the sack. Thoroughly pissed off Vax volunteer.

Write to your MP and ask them to ask the department for proof that the trial booster is a recognised substitute.

Veryverycalmnow · 20/01/2022 15:04

You shouldn't be treated like this! You have done nothing wrong and everything right, so I've no idea why some people on here are acting as if you're in the wrong! Bizarre.
I hope you get it sorted and don't have too much more admin etc to deal with. Frustrating!

endlesscraziness · 20/01/2022 15:16

@Finallylostit we've just had a flow diagram released from HR and it specifies vaccine trial participants are exempt. I know it was only clarified recently so email your HR director direct

Original poster

Finallylostit · 20/01/2022 15:36

6 members of my dept in the vaccine trials - all on VCOD -this is not a GP error. in fact every trial member having the same issue

However as they know we are in the trial, the Trust has a list of those in the Trials - not rocket science to marry the two together before sending out threatening letters.

My dept received the VCOD list at 1100 and emails went out at 1600 to everyone before anyone had checked the accuracy.

Today no one can tell me if they have accepted my Vaccine Trial letter saying I had the real thing and no placebo, NHS Covid Pass evidence that they requested, no one answers e mails, no phone number to ring - will know if it is right if I don't get a notice of dismissal on 7th Feb!!

I am calmer today but yesterday it was like groundhog day.

OP posts:

mellongoose · 20/01/2022 15:47

@Finallylostit

6 members of my dept in the vaccine trials - all on VCOD -this is not a GP error. in fact every trial member having the same issue

However as they know we are in the trial, the Trust has a list of those in the Trials - not rocket science to marry the two together before sending out threatening letters.

My dept received the VCOD list at 1100 and emails went out at 1600 to everyone before anyone had checked the accuracy.

Today no one can tell me if they have accepted my Vaccine Trial letter saying I had the real thing and no placebo, NHS Covid Pass evidence that they requested, no one answers e mails, no phone number to ring - will know if it is right if I don't get a notice of dismissal on 7th Feb!!

I am calmer today but yesterday it was like groundhog day.

I know I keep pushing it,sorry. If you have an MP with a half decent team, they can also contact whoever it is in your nhs trust to help with this.

Bakedbeanhead · 20/01/2022 15:57

Hi OP, you have got me really worried now, as I was on the AZ trial and didn’t have the placebo. Are you saying you can’t get a valid covid pass and anyway it’s not recognised??

Original poster

Finallylostit · 20/01/2022 18:43

you can get an nhs covid pass but some countries - ( 2 I visited last year) got really antsy about the fact it says trial on it.

And my home country refuse to recognise vaccines given in trials

OP posts:

Julia001 · 21/01/2022 17:35

Get the union and ERAS involved , if you have had them you should have some paperwork saying that , why would you need any more ? It’s beyond me.

Hadenough2021 · 21/01/2022 17:37

Can I just say aside from the troubles you are currently facing - unfairly. Thank you. Thank you for taking part in the trial, and thank you for helping in saving countless lives. Thank you, thank you and thank you x

Appleby11 · 21/01/2022 17:39

My sister is fully vaccinated through the normal channels, but still there is no record of each vaccination each time she goes because the system has never been updated after each time. 119 say it's the GPs fault, the GP say it's 119s fault.

Unfortunately I know quite a few other people in the same situation. The system doesn't work and it's apparently nobodies position to fix it.

Bakedbeanhead · 21/01/2022 17:53

Thanks op, hoping to go to Greece and Spain this year, what a fecking pain in the arse if I’m refused entry because I took part in a trial.
Really makes me wonder why I bothered.
Hope you get your vaccine pass sorted at work xx

Theoldwrinkley · 21/01/2022 18:01

Typical of usual NHS inefficiency and cock-upedness. I support NHS totally, but the bureaucracy and waste of space and money is astounding, in virtually every area. But they are the only members of the population (along with civil servants) who 'work hard.

Bard6817 · 21/01/2022 18:06

Raise a formal grievance against your employer for its administrative failure.

In the event they do terminate your employment, appeal it and probably get upheld.

Then take them to independant tribunal. You’ll win.

SJFarter · 21/01/2022 18:13

@Finallylostit

Yesterday, I got a letter and a delightful email in my work email telling me I am going to lose my job unless I get vaccinated.

Yes I work for the NHS.

This is insulting and rude when those in power think to threaten people without getting their data /facts correct.

May 2020 - I received my first vaccine as part of the first vaccine trial in the world. By the end of June 2020 I had my second dose. In June 2021 - I had a new trial booster.

Problem is if you had your vaccine as part of the trials that helped move the world back to normal - then the systems do not recognise it as being had. The NHS app will give me a covid pass and says i have had it but it is not considered the real thing that everyone else got after being tried on people like me.

I have to email my proof to them to prove ~I have had it. 3 emails later and I have had to send in passport details, vaccine trial details, this detail that detail etc etc.

Today 'i got invited to a meeting with my manager to discuss the implications of my refusenik beliefs and to inform me that as of April 1st I will not be employed by the NHS. That said person could not see how frustrating it is for someone who has been vaccinated all along but systems do not recognise it and still asked me for proof - just pushed me over the edge today.

Whilst I appreciate this is adminstritative it really is insulting that they can not get this right. I and many of my NHS colleagues volunteered blindly into a trial not knowing what the hell would happen to help the world.

our thanks for helping move the world on - threatened with the sack. Thoroughly pissed off Vax volunteer.

The NHS recognises unions. Have you got them involved?

It's sounds administrative to me. Surely you show proof, if they don't accept it, you get the union involved.

LovelyIssues · 21/01/2022 18:21

Absolutely disgusting!!!! Your body your choice. Cannot believe what the world is coming to at the moment.

fussyhousewife · 21/01/2022 18:27

Sounds like one for your MP things get sorted quickly when you call on the right folk.

Mandyjack · 21/01/2022 18:42

I would go to your union and it they do go through with dismissal take them to tribunal. You have proof you had it from emails and the covid pass app. Make sure you send an email to your manager, Head of Service HD and CEO of the trust stating that you are not refusing the vaccine and as a participant of the trial you are considered fully vaccinated. State that you do not want to leave your job and feel the threat of dismissal is unfair and if its carried through you will take them to tribunal.
It's possible the CEO of your trust isn't aware of your managers actions. I work for local government and they don't know what goes on at grass roots. Print of a copy of the email as evidence and any other documents you have proving you were vaccinated.

Hang10 · 21/01/2022 18:48

Infuriating treatment. Could be done without threats. If you were part of a trial, is it possible you had a placebo? I.e. actually not vaccinated or that the early trial vaccine was not passes?
But the tone is wrong and you YANBU about the threatening approach.

Katyawampus · 21/01/2022 18:51

I've just found this in an NHS England document:

The vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) requirements include front-line workers, as well as non-clinical workers not directly involved in patient care but who may have face to face contact with patients, including ancillary staff such as porters, cleaners or receptionists.

The requirement will not apply to those who:

Are under the age of 18
Are medically exempt
Have participated in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine

The document is titled:

Vaccination as a Condition of Deployment (VCOD) for Healthcare Workers
Version 1, 14 January 2022
Phase 2: VCOD Implementation
Guidance for employers in healthcare in England
So it looks like you just need to give your employers the info from the trial and that should be sufficient
Ps I haven't rtft so forgive me if your issue has already been resolved

Mandyjack · 21/01/2022 18:55

NHS workers need to be going to the press about this

Bebethany · 21/01/2022 19:00

@ Finallylostit you work for the NHS. Me too, you know how incompetent and unaccountable they are, no wonder there’s 100,000 vacancies? No one wants to work for them!! Chin up gal 🌷🌷

Tzimi · 21/01/2022 19:17

@canbage

So .... Do what most of the volunteers have done, get more jabs.

🙄

Getting vaccinate does carry a risk, especially if the vaccine is administered without aspiration, as there is a risk of injecting it into the blood stream. Op shouldn't have to have yet more jabs, as this would increase the risk to her.

Tzimi · 21/01/2022 19:18

@canbage

Why are people not up in arms that in 2 weeks time 90k NHS staff will be served notice

I don't agree with this, we need all the staff we can get.

Because the Tories are trying to get rid of the NHS?

NichyNoo · 21/01/2022 19:20

Whilst it’s extremely frustrating, I would imagine that your three doses are no longer effective as you had them so long ago. So probably best to just start the course again.