Places of work during the Coronavirus - what should I do?

[DonnaDonna01]

Please could I just ask what you would do in this situation please -
Work in an office with two other members of staff, we are two meters apart, wear masks and have windows open.
I’ve seen via social media today that one of the colleagues in my office has stayed at a relatives house last night after a family event. Clearly from photos no masks worn and have travelled home this morning.
My other colleague is unaware but has been extremely careful since the pandemic started, even at Christmas she did not go to another household or let anyone come to hers.
I just feel so uncomfortable about it all for my colleague and myself but don’t know if I’m over reacting and should say nothing.

I thought if people were in a support bubble they could stay overnight. Sometimes photos don't always tell the full story.

Just text her and ask her about it.

What do you think you could do? Seriously. You can ask her about it. But she does not have the virus and there is no evidence that anyone has the virus or that she has done anything she shouldn't. You can't ban her from the workplace. You can't refuse to work with her. So it isn't clear what you are asking here.

I didn’t say it was a she or that I wanted to ban them from our workplace and how can you know if they have the virus or anyone else has that was at the house last night? But they have broken restrictions and clearly stayed at another household with numerous other people and it is not a support bubble. (posts confirm this) No masks worn and now my colleague and I are working in the same office for 7 1/2 hours a day all this coming week. This increases risk without a doubt, my question is do I say nothing, do I tell my other colleague or contact the this person which could cause animosity in the work place?

I think this is why the pandemic is so difficult because everyone’s actions have potential to affect other. I understand where you are coming from OP but not sure what you can do. Perhaps speak confidentially to line manager if you are concerned ?

Honestly, you doing nothing, and carry on as normal.

@mrsm43s do you think it’s ok to break restrictions and we can carry on as normal now? Or do you mean it’s not right but nothing you can do about it?

Speak to your manger and warn your other colleague.

The government should have made the rules stronger so that those breaking them would lose school places or be dismissed for gross misconduct if putting others at risks by non compliance.

I would do nothing. What makes you think they'll suddenly have the virus after mixing with some family members, they'd be just as likely to pick it up walking round the supermarket, which they would be allowed to do. Plus I thought the point of wearing masks and distancing in the office was so that you don't catch it if they DO have it.

There's nothing you can do. Like I say to people at my work , you have no control over what others are doing, you can only do what you can to keep yourself safe. Perhaps she does this every weekend, perhaps your other colleague does. Either of your colleagues could catch it on public transport, or in the supermarket, or from a member of their household. Carry on with the masks, social distancing and ventilation.

On the plus side, you have now learned that your colleague is an idiot.

@SpinningWheelOfFortune

What makes you think they'll suddenly have the virus after mixing with some family members

Of course they are more likely to get covid if mixing with lots of family inside 🙄 didn’t you see what happened after Christmas?!!!!

OP it’s a shit situation, I personally would raise it with my manager and request to wfh for 10 days

Pull as many faces and use as many exclamation marks as you like. Maybe the possibility of them coming into contact with the virus is increased, but it doesnt mean they automatically have it, and imo it would be a complete over reaction to request to work from home.

I'm afraid it's no one else's business what your colleagues get up to outside of work. I work in very close contact with colleagues who have large blended families, kids coming and going from different households, children in nursery and childminders etc.. And there's absolutely nothing I can do about that. I think be grateful you can at least distance from your colleagues.

The rules let you travel on public transport and shop in a supermarket for a reason though don’t they? It’s a lower risk of transmission. Meeting numerous households indoors isn’t allowed because it increases risk significantly. This isn’t the first time this person has broke or twisted the rules to suit but with this new more transmittal strain I am more worried. I ask because both my neighbours contacted Covid last week, one has been taken to hospital and now has pneumonia. She is fit with no underlying issues and in her mid forties. We’re seeing this more now in our area and maybe this is affecting my judgement.

The rules let you travel on public transport and shop in a supermarket for a reason though don’t they? It’s a lower risk of transmission.

No . Supermarkets and public transport are also indoors, they're no safer they're just necessary as people have to work and eat.

I wouldn't worry about covid but I would make a mental note that colleague is collosally ... foolish? naive? blinkered? to post that on social media. If they made that foolish decision (to advertise rule breaking) heaven knows what other daft things they do .

@Hibernatingnation meeting other households in a house and drinking together all night with no social distancing or masks and staying overnight is considerably more risk than supermarkets and public transport where the above precautions should be maintained. Plus I’m in and out the supermarket in 20mins and keep my distance. I know public transport is more difficult but from what I can see masks, social distancing and ventilation are in place in our area.

If she hadn't posted on social media you would be non the wiser as most of us are unaware what our co workers get up to at the weekend. Your workplace seems safe so carry on as normal I think you are over reacting

It’s increased her risk but there’s nothing you can do so don’t worry about it

At least you can distance at work
What people do outside of work is up to them

Well yes less risky than an all night drinking session but risk has nothing to do with the reasons food shops are open and public transport is running, which appears to be what you were saying. They're necessities obviously. Those at higher risk are advised to avoid them though.
I'm not condoning your colleagues behaviour but like I said your colleague could be coming into contact with numerous households who are also in contact with numerous households and still be within the guidelines, as mine are.

I maybe should have worded it differently and do appreciate why supermarkets and public transport are open. But they do have some levels of precautions that people follow probably because they can be seen. People meeting in houses are much less likely to social distance, wear masks and open windows, that’s why it’s a definite no from the government.

What part of the country are you in OP? If there is high local prevalence then I would be concerned. I think you are asking a very sensible question. Careless social contacts indoors is how this virus spreads. If your colleague's family all seem comfortable with it then it suggests they have done it before....I would speak to your manager. Is there no way you can wfh?

Whether op speaks to boss or not there’s nothing he can do

You can’t be discipled for private life

There is a high prevalence in our area although figures are reducing very slowly. I appreciate they’re not at work and it’s their private life, I guess I will just have to do my best to keep my distance even more and I will tell my other colleague, I think they should know; I’d want to.
What surprises me most is posts were people aren’t overly concerned. We’re struggling to contain this virus 12 months on and what if we all think well so and so breaks the rules but no repercussions so we might as well.

@Pastanred

Whether op speaks to boss or not there’s nothing he can do

You can’t be discipled for private life

You can actually in some professions. Not Dominic Cummings though 😃

I agree OP. I can't understand if its apathy or ignorance or bravado or what?! Ask anyone with long covid or severe illness and they would tell you to take every precaution you can to avoid this virus. If employees were breaking the law in other ways then we would expect workplaces to take action! I can't imagine an employer wants to be wiping out a while office for 2 weeks?! Masks and ventilation are no guarantee.