DH asked to go to work?

[Cardiff76]

DH works in retail. Not a key worker by any definition, including the official government list. His shop has been shut since last Monday when the ‘lock down’ was first announced. He’s got off a conference call today to be told him and his leadership team have to go into the shop next week to do a full store shut down. I’ve just massively lost it with him. AIBU in thinking that this is not something that needs to be done and is just an unnecessary risk? We’ve just had a massive argument about it.

Thousands of businesses are still running and jobs need to be done.
Have you not thought that this request was probably asked because it needs doing for managers / owners to progress something to the next stage - like stock levels, orders, etc.
The whole country hasn’t shut down, despite what many people think.

Lots of businesses are taking the opportunity to get maintenance and stock reviews and organisation done ready for afterwards.
Leaving a premises 'in aspic' will do nobody any favours.

I don’t know what you aim to achieve by having a massive argument about it. If it’s something that needs to be done then he should go. They are not open to the public so the risks are minimal and it’s a one off. I’m classed as a key worker (though that’s arguable) but I’m still going to work once in a week as i can’t fully do all my work from home. Everyone just has to take all the precautions

Let him go in. Have him take precautions. Stop panicking.

Round here shops are being broken into and having things stolen so a proper shut down is important. Especially given this whole thing could go on a long time.

I'm guessing that maintenance, checks, cleaning etc. still have to be done when these businesses are to be closed for any length of time?

If they aren't then there could be damage to stock, and the shop may not be deemed safe or legal to reopen when the restrictions are eventually lifted. That would do nobody any favours and some of the jobs simply can't be done without visiting the premises once in a while.

I like to keep to the rules too, but I think you have either overreacted big time or are directing your anger at the wrong person. Your DH probably hasn't chosen to do this. He is being leaned on by his employer. To top it off, you then blew up at him about it, placing him in a no win situation.

Apologise to him and ask him to explain why these tasks are necessary now. Accept his point of view. He is probably coming under pressure.

What's the point of massively losing it with him? It's his job and he's been asked to go in, so he should go.

I don’t understand what risk thee even is. Presumably he is the only one going to be there? And the journey to wrk would be the same as any one else going for a walk or a trip to work right now.
So what exactly is the issue.

It seems you just want to find a reason to be angry

Gosh, I definitely don’t want to be angry! I’m not sure why anyone would! I totally get that there will be some premises and businesses such as restaurants that absolutely need to have people going in to do cleaning etc.

The majority of my wider family are key workers (emergency services) so I am absolutely aware that there are lots of people cracking on as normal because their jobs are critical and they have no choice.

I guess I just felt that if a business can stay shut then it should, and this includes not having to get staff in. There’s nothing perishable in the shop and it’s not at threat from looting because of where it is. So to me, what they’re asking of their staff is unnecessary.

Dh and I have made up now, it’s very rare that we argue. He actually agrees with me that what they’re being asked to do is pointless, but he wants to keep his job and so will be going in.

Its good to randomy have people in the place.
The Hospice warehouse by us was burgle last night, they haven't been checking i daily due to the shut downs and most of the voluteers being older themselves.
They damaged loads of nice furniture that was going to be sold just for the hell of it, and stole a load of donated stuff that the hospice was going to sell on eBay, designer handbags, shoes etc.
People are arseholes, they will be first to moan and cry when a relative is terminal and the hospice has no staff and beds for them.

Retail clothes stores close in March
they re open in June
any clothes store that has not restocked / reorganised / replanned
for a post covid world
will end up laying off more staff

retail works on a 10 week cycle
if you want your DH to have a job afterwards, support him now

If he’s a manager can’t he shut the shop down himself? There doesn’t need a be a full shift of staff present

As there’s no customers, I don’t think it’s that unsafe for him to go as a one off

I agree with all the other posters. It seems completely obvious to me that a shop manager would do a stock take or a close down at this time.

The reason shops are closed is to keep people apart. I don’t see why a stock take is any risk to that.

Things he will be doing will include. Banking all till floats and petty cash, flushing out toilets and sinks before turning off stop cocks, getting rid of perishables on site, any admin in paper form fire safety and alarms etc there's loads to be done if you aren't going to be on site for a length of time.