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Original poster

I’ll have to hand my notice in won’t I?

124 replies

Trytoomanytimes · 27/09/2020 18:40

Had a week off work.
Just got a text from my colleague to say that out of 24 office staff 6 are currently off after testing positive.
Factory setting of around 100 people so I have no idea of how many of the shopfloor workers are currently off.
There is no way I can work from home.
I’m not at all happy about going back tomorrow. I have not been to a pub or restaurant, only go shopping when I have to and always use a mask etc. I’ve not been to see any friends or family and have been sensible. The biggest risk to me is now obviously my work place.
I have been there a long time, and it would cause them MASSIVE problems if I gave then 4 weeks notice tomorrow.
Money wise, we could manage for a bit, but I would have to find something eventually, but hopefully could find a job home based.
If my current job can’t be done from home, and I’m no longer comfortable going into the office, what choice do I have?

OP posts:
MrsLorenson · 27/09/2020 20:15

Call the ACAS helpline in the morning.

lifesalongsong · 27/09/2020 20:15

@Ellsbells12

Don't be scared media has scared us ... you will be fine x
And you know that how? Confused

I'm not a covid worrier by any means but it's ridiculous to tell someone they'll be fine. Do you have special powers to tell from words on the screen if a poster will catch covid and how badly they will be affected?

Jeremyironseverything · 27/09/2020 20:15

Are people forgetting 6 out of 24 have tested positive and more might be incubating it?
That's not health anxiety, that's sensible risk assessment.

Staffy1 · 27/09/2020 20:15

Aren't you supposed to isolate for two weeks if you have been in close contact with anyone that's tested positive?

hitchhikingghost · 27/09/2020 20:16

It would be mad to resign. Covid is here to stay, you can’t hide forever, and also have no income. The same thing is likely to happen in another job too. Take precautions and get on with it.

Cornettoninja · 27/09/2020 20:17

@TooManyDogsandChildren

Personally I would have no qualms about phoning in sick for the next week while I waited for more information and yes I'd be investigating who to report the working conditions to. Is there a union onsite?
This is exactly what I’d do too. I would have no dilemma in choosing to do this.

Don’t let yourself be rushed into to making rash decisions you might regret. If I didn’t hear of PHE or any other official advice in the next couple of days I’d report them myself.

m0therofdragons · 27/09/2020 20:17

Phe will be involved and will have assessed. If the business is still open it’s because PHE said they could. I’d go in with alcohol gel and wear a mask.

Cornettoninja · 27/09/2020 20:19

@Staffy1

Aren't you supposed to isolate for two weeks if you have been in close contact with anyone that's tested positive?
Close contacts are being fudged in certain workplaces. Mine would say that I was seated 2 metres away from the other ten people in my office. I’m not, I can sit in my chair and hold hands with the three people immediately around me. Unless someone physically checks how would anyone know?
ithinkiveseenthisfilmbefore · 27/09/2020 20:20

Sorry, but I think you're deluded to think they can't replace you easily.

Thousands of people are losing their jobs every day right now. They'll find good candidates. But you may well struggle to find a job under the current economic conditions.

libbsop · 27/09/2020 20:21

This will be around for years what is the alternative ? You can either find a work from home job or be on benefits ?

saraclara · 27/09/2020 20:21

@Jeremyironseverything

Are people forgetting 6 out of 24 have tested positive and more might be incubating it? That's not health anxiety, that's sensible risk assessment.
Absolutely. There's no way that office is COVID secure.

I am more relaxed about Covid than most of my friends, but no way would I want to be working in that environment. I think it's highly likely that others will be incubating it.

Beebeeboo2 · 27/09/2020 20:22

Assuming the other 18 in the office have to isolate for 2 weeks with a deep clean before going in?

userxx · 27/09/2020 20:25

I'm sure you'll be replaced quickly enough if you no longer want the job.

Sidewinder30 · 27/09/2020 20:36

If a quarter of an office's staff have tested positive, then no it's not safe. Call your employer and ask what is being done about the outbreak. That's sensible and reasonable. They need to follow guidlelines and should be able to tell you what they are. If they can outline the steps they are taking to keep you safe, you may feel reassured.

movingonup20 · 27/09/2020 20:37

Wear a respirator mask, much more protective

catsarecute · 27/09/2020 20:39

I would definitely talk to your employer before you decide on your next steps.
Have PHE/test and trace been called in to assess because this sounds like an outbreak.
What steps is your employer taking to mitigate the risks? Has there been a deep clean? Have all the people who have been working alongside the 6 staff who are positive been asked to self isolate by test and trace? (I wouldn't be wanting to work alongside any of them right now in your position, if they are isolating and the office is deep cleaned I would be somewhat reassured).
It might be that what your employer says reassures you, or they might not want you in tomorrow anyway if they need to do a deep clean first.
Is there any of your work that could be done from home at all, or could your employer put in place systems that would make working from home practical going forward? (Eg we have had the office phone diverted and remote access to all our work systems sorted out, all staff have a laptop and work mobile phone).
Can you take another week off to buy yourself some time, or get signed off with anxiety?
Are you in a union (if not, it's worth joining even if your employer doesn't recognise one).
See Unison's advice on 'what if I don't feel my workplace is safe' on this link www.unison.org.uk/coronavirus-rights-work/#heading-3
There may be something useful here on ACAS too:
www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus

If you're looking for a home working position, go to www.indeed.co.uk and type 'remote' in the search bar as a starting point. It will give you an idea of the sort of jobs out there that are work from home before you make any decisions (this system is not fool proof, read the job specs carefully). Also ring the National Careers Service for advice on 0800 100 900 . I think I would wait to be successful in gaining another position before handing in my notice (but that's just me).

Wishing you lots of luck

EasterIssland · 27/09/2020 20:40

If you still have to work your norticd period not sure how it’s going to help quitting. The positives are now. Not in 4 weeks.

DressingGownofDoom · 27/09/2020 20:41

You need to calm down. There are options. Contact the union? Take annual leave? Raise your concerns with your line manager? Shop them to the health and safety executive. Don't just quit your job.

ineedaholidaynow · 27/09/2020 20:41

If OP has had a week off she may not be a contact, in fact she may be the only one allowed in the office!

GetRid · 27/09/2020 20:44

6 out of 24 is an extremely high number and something that Public Health England should be investigating. That's a big cluster. I'd guess that the air-conditioning or air filtration system is spreading it.

In the meantime I would perhaps consider calling in sick until the management has taken action to make it more secure.

Peachez · 27/09/2020 20:44

Fine, don't go to work then. Hand in your notice. You will have to work your notice though. You could try finding a work from home job. How far do you think that is possible at the moment?

Alternatively, rock up to work armed with some guidance on 'Covid Security.' Press them on it, report the current state of infections. Your choice.

TheEC · 27/09/2020 20:46

They should be closing if 6 people have tested positive. That aside, you are anxious. Get signed off with anxiety. Handing in your notice should be the last resort

PurplePansy05 · 27/09/2020 20:47

OP, just to note, if you've been there for a long time as you say, your notice period may be longer than 4 weeks. You'd need to check. The point is, you'd need to work your full notice which may not be short.

MadameMeursault · 27/09/2020 20:48

Shouldn’t the other 18 be self-isolating and the office have had a deep clean? OP your empty workplace is probably the safest place in the country right now!

xxxviii · 27/09/2020 20:53

6/24 is what a colleague said... I'd want to talk to a boss to find out the full picture from them.