Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

"High Risk" but not being allowed to work from home

59 replies

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 11:38

According to the Government and NHS websites, I am classed as "High Risk" because my BMI is over 40.

I work for the NHS as a PA. My work is absolutley not essential, and there is potential for me to work from home, but my manager is not supportive of me at all.

I work in a fairly high risk area as we have clinicians and other colleages from wards/main areas coming into our building, into our office and even using my phone! Yet my manager just kind of shrugs off my suggestions that I should be working from home because I am high risk.

I get the feeling she isn't taking it seriously because I'm "just fat", but surely a high BMI wouldn't be listed if it wasn't a factor?

AIBU to think I should be allowed to work from home?

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 01/04/2020 13:29

Email your manager and if you're not happy with the reasons given, see what your Union rep has to say about it.

RedRed9 · 01/04/2020 13:31

But I'm not being supported to work from home.
^ this isn’t true.

You’ve not been offered to work from home but you also haven’t actually officially asked yet.

I get that you’re worried but the conversation you need to be having right now is with your manager.

hellandhairnets · 01/04/2020 13:35

Worra as I have stated even a few pounds can help in reducing BMI and given that's something in her control, I don't understand why you would not at least attempt it. Her work may deem it necessary to attend in person and hence that is something out of her control.

Given this is someone who clearly HAS made an effort (losing 3.5 stone in previous year is not easy, so congrats on having got that far, OP) and who hasn't said anything at all about "not attempting" it, your post just reads as you getting to having a pop at someone because they are overweight, tbh. Average weight loss is 1-2 pounds a week, so wouldn't be an instantaneous solution in any case.

But yes, I'm not sure if high BMI would offically count as a reason. Sounds to me like the real issue here is with the manager, whether or not the work can be done from home (if it can, the manager should be considering that) or whether staff are likely to be redeployed elsewhere in the NHS to something that genuinely can't be done from home.

hellandhairnets · 01/04/2020 13:37

I get that you’re worried but the conversation you need to be having right now is with your manager.

^This.

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 13:39

I said that as she did not mention this as an option in managing her potential increased risk. If you're very overweight you can actually lose more than 1 to 2 pounds a week. I'm not having a gripe but I do consider this to be somewhat in her control. My health issue which places me as clinically vulnerable is totally outside my control and I would personally take whatever steps I deemed to be necessary to manage my own risk.

hellandhairnets · 01/04/2020 13:49

Actually, generally, no it isn't. That is the average regardless of 'effort'. I appreciate that you feel resentful, and your own health issue is completely out of your control, and you clearly don't like overweight people, but it is obvious from all she has said that the OP HAS been taking steps. I don't think there is any excuse for the punching down attitude, frankly and you are being both unfair and goady. It isn't going to help the OPs situation right now.

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 13:54

Nope the average is that for a reason, meaning that there will weight losses above and below that average. Even the OP has not taken issue with my comments so I think you can back off. Please do not make assumptions about me, nor how my health impacts upon me. What I have stated is entirely reasonable given the government advice.

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 13:54

I get that you have your own health issues, and I know I could be losing 2-3lbs a week (if I could get my arse in gear and actually stick to the SlimmingWorld plan), @SiousieSoo but yours is a moot point as presumably you aren't being made to go in to work and come into contact with people who are potentially carrying the virus, are you?

OP posts:

popim · 01/04/2020 13:54

I get where you are coming from Siousie.

It's a bit like smokers will be at higher risk of severe illness, but there is something you can do about that.

Op, I would put a good case together for working from home, your productivity, the tasks you could do, how you could carry the workload for the team.

I think the difficulty lies with lots of NHS staff being 'at higher risk'. Lots of us have diabetes, asthma etc. Higher risk is not high risk. There's a difference.

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 13:57

When I started at SlimmingWorld I lost 8lbs in my first week, and if I have a good week on plan I can usually loose about 3lbs. But I haven't had a good week in over a year. I have always struggled with my weight. I can't see me losing much, if anything, in the current climate because I'm stressed and I'm an emotional eater

OP posts:

pickupstick · 01/04/2020 13:58

At our Trust we have been told to contact our GP and ask if they have any advice or recommendations as to what you should do, then liaise with Occupational Health regarding conditions that fall into a grey area such as this. Your manager would then have to comply and it won't be open to interpretation.

Well done for losing your 3.5 stone, that's no mean feat! 💪🏽

BunnytheBee · 01/04/2020 13:58

You’re being out of order @SiousieSoo Just because we can control what we eat and drink that doesn’t mean our weight is entirely within our control. Arguable maybe health conditions are within our control too. You don’t want PPs to make assumptions about you but you seem to be making assumptions about OP’s situation. OP had been polite about your comments but that doesn’t mean you’re not being a bit unpleasant.

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 13:58

I'm working from home. Honestly if I was you I would make a concerted effort to lose enough weight to bring your BMI down to below 40. This will decrease your risk in general.

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 13:59

I think I'll just have to get on with it @popim

All the global emails being sent out about Covid19 are gearing us up for being redeployed. And if we refuse we'll be made to take unpaid leave.

I'm just grateful that DH is working from home and I don't have to worry about childcarefor DD

OP posts:

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 14:01

For gods sake how can a comment to lose some weight be construed as unpleasant. The op has not stated it's outside of her control. Not sure if you're having a sly dig at me regarding my health issues being inside my control but if you are that's disgusting.

DazedandConcerned · 01/04/2020 14:03

My father works for the NHS, and has a shielding letter for 12 weeks because he has COPD. His work is essential and he cannot work from home so he's having to go in.

I hope your manager listens to you @WorriedFatty it isn't nice working when you are worried about catching something you are at higher risk for. I'm currently WFH even though my company doesn't much like it - so I understand the difficulties you are having. It's an awkward conversation, but one definitely worth having. I really hope it all works out for you.

BunnytheBee · 01/04/2020 14:08

Not sure if you're having a sly dig at me regarding my health issues being inside my control but if you are that's disgusting.

I don’t know what your health problems are. Some are in our control and some aren’t. Some weight loss is in our control and some isn’t. But how many times do you need to make the same point?! All you’re bothered about is your own health issues so why not start your own thread about that for some support for yourself.

WreckTangled · 01/04/2020 14:09

OP I'm really worried about being redeployed. We've been told it'll definitely be admin but most likely on bedded wards. Also, being diabetic, I'm trying my very best to eat well to control my sugar levels but I completely hear you when you say that it's even more difficult now than even. All I want is chocolate and biscuits even though I know that's not what's best for me. Our trust have said if you have an underlying condition they won't put you in a patient facing role so I would hope yours is able to do the same.

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 14:10

Thanks @pickupstick I feel dreadful now because I've put at least 2 stone back on

But I know that when I'm in a better place mentally, I can lose it again.

That's ridiculous @DazedandConcerned! Surley he should be at home on full pay. My old school friend's mum is a nurse, and she works for my Trust. She had her spleen removed so is definitley high risk, but she's still being made to come to work...

It's just such a difficult, stressful situation to be in.

OP posts:

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 14:11

Bunny I do not need any support other than what I have in place. My husband and lovely children are all at home with me and the fridge is full. Just go away with your insipid, inaccurate and patronising assumptions. The only thing that will help the OP given her update is to lose some weight to bring down her BMI as per my original comments.

NotDavidTennant · 01/04/2020 14:12

Telling the OP to lose weight is not very practical. Unless she's already very close to a BMI of 40 then it will take her several weeks to lose enough weight, and what does she do in the meantime?

Plus the risk doesn't all magically disappear the minute her BMI gets below 40.

SiousieSoo · 01/04/2020 14:14

I give up... this virus will be here for months. How is the suggestion to lose weight not practical... please do tell.

DazedandConcerned · 01/04/2020 14:15

@WorriedFatty it is ludicrous, but I understand how stretched they are right now so I (and my dad) can't really blame them. Actually, this has inspired me to go back and retrain as a nurse in September. If we had more nurses, maybe people like your friend's mum could be shielded.

Regarding the weight issue, do you have an underactive thyroid? And, if not has this been tested? I put on weight like crazy because of mine!

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 14:18

Thanks @WreckTangled and I hope your Trust keeps you safe

I used to work on Switchboard so I'd already offered myself up to them for when the need arises.

And I actually did a stint as a porter during some industrial action a few years ago and I throughly enjoyed it (I'm a real people person, always worked in Reception/Front of House roles) so it was great to be on the shop floor and interacting with patients and colleagues I wouldn't normally get to meet

But this time it's different, there's a real risk that if I get the virus, it will be harder for me to fight it off because of my weight. And while I understand it's my own fault for getting so bloody fat, I can't magic the lbs away

OP posts:

Original poster

WorriedFatty · 01/04/2020 14:25

No @DazedandConcerned I was tested for all sorts a few years ago, our Trust ran a health workshop thing and it was discovered that my blood pressure was sky high (dangerously so, but had been for a number of years so I wasn't in immediate danger of dropping dead) and I was referred to Endocrinology and they ran all sorts of test to see if it was hormone related it wasn't

So I bit the bullet and joined SlimmingWorld (for the second time) and got down from 24.5 stone to 20 stone 10lbs (I was 25st but I'd lost half a stone by the time I joined)

But it's crept back up to 22 stone 8 in the last 6 months or so as my head just isn't in it at the moment. I could kick myself, because I was feeling so good and I'd dropped about 3 dress sizes and was feeling great. But I've gone and ruined it now, and I feel like I'm having to start all over again in the midst of this crisis and with a whole heap of emotional shit going on in the background too

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3