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Covid

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Original poster

To be raging at my work and is there anything I can do?

95 replies

secretdoubleagent · 23/03/2020 06:17

So bit of background I work in a office as an administrator, area that I work in is not classed as key worker.
Ever since the gov have said for people to work from home where possible my company have been dragging their feet and not letting us work from home. It would make our jobs more complicated but other offices in our sector have managed it.
Here's my aibu given that all these huge companies ie McDonald's, Primark etc have said they are shutting for safety reason aibu to demand to work from home?
There are probably around 30 of us working in the office and the company are still letting people just walk in off the street and are insisting that people keep appointments with clients.
I feel that we should be shutting the offices but have been told if we refuse to come in we will face disciplinary proceedings and if we say we are self isolating we will only get SSP.
Is there anything I can do? Given what is happening I feel the company are being irresponsible?
Thank you for reading my ramblings and hope it makes sense (feeling a bit flustered with everything that's happening)

OP posts:

peachypetite · 23/03/2020 06:19

Email your manager explaining how you can work from home and minimise disruption and explain you do not feel comfortable commuting to the office

Nquartz · 23/03/2020 06:21

Can you speak to HR?

Original poster

secretdoubleagent · 23/03/2020 06:23

No HR department, company is too small. Email saying we must come in unless self isolating came from the 2 bosses of the company

OP posts:

Original poster

secretdoubleagent · 23/03/2020 06:25

Worst part is they have been posting on social media with tips on how to work from home and at the same time advertising appointments?!

OP posts:

Midsommar · 23/03/2020 06:27

My work won't let us work from home either. Heading into the office now. Fucking ridiculous.

PianoTuner567 · 23/03/2020 06:28

Could you go in but refuse to do the public-facing part? Not ideal but better.

I don’t think there’s much you can do as it’s only government ‘advice’ at the moment so has no legal weight. If they fired you for not going in, you’d probably have a good case to take them to tribunal but that’s obviously long-term.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 23/03/2020 06:28

This is the problem with no official lockdown.

There is nothing you can do until BJ orders employees to stay at home.

I'd be tempted to say you are self-isolating for 14 days. I would be amazed if we dont go into lockdown in that time

VivaLeBeaver · 23/03/2020 06:29

My work has gone one better. I’m normally allowed to work from home 80% of the time and can do that 80% of the job perfectly well. The other 20% of my job I now can’t do at home so you’d think I’d be able,to work from home all the time. But work have told us to come and work in the office for no reason other than “a presence must be maintained”.

Imstillskanking · 23/03/2020 06:29

I would just tell them you are going to be working from home from now. End of story. Be bold.

CappyCapCap · 23/03/2020 06:31

What work do you do?

Can it continue if appointments dont?

Quickquestion2020 · 23/03/2020 06:38

Can you actually do your job as well from home as from the office but its more difficult for you. Or will the quality/effectiveness of your work be less? If your work will not be as good from home would you be willing to take a temporary pay cut to work from home?

Original poster

secretdoubleagent · 23/03/2020 06:40

Luckily I don't take appointments, however with the flow of people coming into the office it makes me uncomfortable.
I can almost forgive the appointments as we send out the standard blurb about if you have symptoms dont come in.
However it is the people who just walk in that i have an issue with. Just to be clear they never get to see anyone when they come in so is a pointless visit, but people will always try 😠

OP posts:

ThatsNotMyPuma · 23/03/2020 06:40

I agree this is why we need a lockdown.

DH's work have told the admin staff to go in to also maintain a presence- but the senior and middle management staff can wfh.

fucking ridiculous.

ThatsNotMyPuma · 23/03/2020 06:43

what annoys me also is that everyone at DH's work can work from home without problems. And they have closed to clients. So what is the point of having staff physically, behind a locked front door when they can work from home?

It is STUPID.

Palavah · 23/03/2020 06:43

I think I would be inclined to develop a dry cough.

Landlubber2019 · 23/03/2020 06:44

I would now take your stuff to wfh report yourself as well but coughing and therefore happy to work from home as a precaution. In 2 weeks everyone who can should be wfh!

sashh · 23/03/2020 06:44

Have your bosses undertaken a risk assessment? Due to the changes in circumstances they should do one and wee what they can do to minimise and H and S.

Under the HASAW legislation both your employer and you are responsible for your health. Contact ACAS for advice

ACAS quote "Employees also have responsibilities for their health and wellbeing at work for example, they are entitled by law to refuse to undertake work that isn't safe without fear of disciplinary action"

SoloD · 23/03/2020 06:45

Would the company be liable if one of the staff came down with the virus?

neverdoingthatagain100 · 23/03/2020 06:50

I saw an employment lawyer on sky news and someone asked her a very similar question. Paraphrasing, but she said you could face disciplinary and loss of earnings.
I know it absolutely stinks and shows that bj is not taking this seriously at all.
All you can do is protect yourself as much as poss with distance and Hand sanitiser (if you can get it!)
But I honestly believe everyone will be in lockdown soon.
Take care 💐

KatherineJaneway · 23/03/2020 06:53

and shows that bj is not taking this seriously at all.

Of course he is. A lockdown is coming, we all know it is, it is just a matter of the best time to do it.

didyoueverdancewiththedevil · 23/03/2020 06:56

My employer is the same as yours OP. Insisting the doors stay open as a lot of our work comes from footfall. My stupid boss even went on two home visits last week to see elderly and already poorly clients. I work for a firm of solicitors.

Alanna1 · 23/03/2020 07:01

I and my husband both have to go into our offices about 1/week. We’re being careful but - how do people think businesses will survive if we don’t work hard? It’s harder working at home too. The taxman’s bailout is tax we all have to pay back! Every business I know is now facing collapse if things don’t stabilise, unless a food store. Cash flow is one of the biggest killer of businesses. Never has “stay calm and carry on” been more important. Absolutely home work if possible but sympathy for employers too and their fixed costs. Ps I’m self-employed - my husband isn’t he’s employed.

CaptainBrickbeard · 23/03/2020 07:02

I think employees in workplaces where this kind of unreasonable demand is being given should ring up and say someone at home has a cough or fever and self isolate for two weeks. By the time the two weeks is up, the company policy will have changed.

DrManhattan · 23/03/2020 07:02

Its really shown the true colours of some employers. Arguing that staff are key workers when they clearly aren't. It's all about the ££££££££ not people.

PertEllaTitsahoy · 23/03/2020 07:04

These businesses need to be named and held to account for their actions

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