I’ve written my notice. Someone tell me I’ve done the right thing...

[readyplayer2]

I’m due back to work in 4 weeks time after being on maternity leave for 14 months.

I work in a large office and my employer throughout the whole pandemic hasn’t sent anyone to work from home!

I’m 35 have a BMI of 40 and I’m asthmatic, I also have psoriasis for which I am unmedicated.

I’ve been extremely careful, limiting social contact, avoiding supermarkets etc since last year.

I’ve written to my employer as asked if I can wfh but today have received a written response to my request which states that due to business requirements, I will need to be back into the office.

I’m due to work 3 days a week and my son will go to nursery.

I’ve weighed up my risks and I feel like it’s too much of a risk me being in the office and my son being at nursery.

My husband wfh and has done since last March!

I feel like my son would benefit so much from nursery but I just don’t think it’s worth the risk to me, especially if it means I could leave him without a mother.

I was hoping I would be vaccinated by the time I go back to work but I haven’t heard a single thing, I had a Drs appointment last week and they confirmed I am group 6 and need to wait my turn.

I can’t extend my return to work date as I’ve already done this and used all of my annual leave allowance.

Hate what Covid has done to us all :(

I am in my early thirties with a high BMI and I've just had the call and my jab is booked for a weeks time... Hold fire... I bet you get the call any time now...!!

Would it mean that you would need to pay back your maternity leave money too? I might have made this up!

I wouldn't like to be job hunting in the current market. Also, it is not so easy to find part time jobs.

Covid and being a new mum have probably made you more anxious; you need to look for some treatment for that or some sort of therapy.

Hopefully you will be vaccinated soon but you can not hide forever.

Ask for your employer’s risk assessment. You shouldn’t have to wait long for the vaccine but remember full protection doesn’t kick in for 3 weeks.
I think you are right to be cautious. My 24 year old asthmatic had covid last year & was very very poorly, he still has lung problems.
It would be a shame if you gave up your job because your employer isn’t making you feel safe.

I think its worse for those who have been at home the whole year.

In my workplace it was scary at first but then we settled in to it.

Just because someone ends up getting it doesnt mean they will pass it on.

If your really worried - Buy some Zoono - 24hrs on hands - 100 washes on clothes - spray your desk in the stuff. Ask for work to provide disposable masks and change them everytime you touch your face.

I bought some nasal spray called taffix that has a research base to show it lessens transmission. I use it for high risk activities (eg when I had to take one of mine to A and E). It gives 5 hours protection I think. Might be worth buying to help your confidence?

Can you get some blood tests done to ensure everything is in order and there are no any medical reasons like missing vitamins or thyroid problems which may be causing/not helping your anxiety.

I think vitamin D and evening primrose oil can help with anxiety; but better check with your doctor.

In answer to your question, I don't believe you are doing the right thing, and I think you will come to regret it.

Remember you can use your annual leave entitlement as you should have accrued it across your maternity leave. You could delay and be paid while your child settles into nursery perhaps? By which time you might have had the vaccine too? What about a sabbatical rather than resigning? In the meantime get as much info as possible about what your employer is doing to keep employees safe. Have you had any keeping in touch days? If you have workmates you get on with, maybe they can reassure you a bit too. I honestly don’t know how I’d feel in your situation and hope it works out okay.

If you like your job go back. Don't let Covid stop you.

Hold fire on the resignation and return to work to suss out the situation in regards work place risk assessment. If you have high levels of covid related anxiety self certify for 7 days and then go get a go fit note for stress/ anxiety sickness absence and go off sick until you get your vaccine.

Sorry, but I think you are wrong. I am 43, obese and also have asthma and psoriasis.

I had covid a few weeks ago as I sat with my dad in his final days in hospital with covid, it was inevitable.

I had a reasonably easy time of it, it didn’t affect my breathing and I am lucky that I didn’t suffer after effects apart from being a bit weary.

Your risk is pretty tiny of having a bad time. The chances of you catching it in a covid secure workplace in the space of a few weeks is low. Same for your child.

It is pretty reckless to give up a job in a pandemic where places are being ravaged by redundancy, for such tiny risk.

Can you not speak with your employer and ask exactly what is in place? Explain your anxiety, they should be sympathetic about your concerns and put you at ease.

@tinkletinklelittlestar

Remember you can use your annual leave entitlement as you should have accrued it across your maternity leave. You could delay and be paid while your child settles into nursery perhaps? By which time you might have had the vaccine too? What about a sabbatical rather than resigning? In the meantime get as much info as possible about what your employer is doing to keep employees safe. Have you had any keeping in touch days? If you have workmates you get on with, maybe they can reassure you a bit too. I honestly don’t know how I’d feel in your situation and hope it works out okay.

Op already has, to delay four weeks and settle dc into nursery. However presumably you have agreed a return date so could be tricky to rescind that.

Get another job before handing your notice in.

Just to add, I also work for a large supermarket chain. I’m close to all the covid work due to my job and do regular calls with other supermarkets and government. The fact is people aren’t catching covid in supermarkets anymore than anywhere else. Footfall is down 25% compared to a year ago. Outbreaks among staff are rare and generally linked to them hanging out outside work.

For you shopping in a supermarket at a quiet time taking all the precautions, you will be utterly fine.

I read in the Times today that unemployment is predicted to be 8% this year. As you said that you need to go back to work, are you prepared to be unemployed?

As I said earlier, I received over 1000 applications for a 20k admin job I advertised.

I'm confused, even if you work from home the baby will still need to be in nursery so the risk is still there either way. You can't WFH and look after a baby, not doing a decent job if it anyway

I found going back into the office after lockdown one difficult. Just used to our little bubble. But argued with myself that teachers were working etc...And after the first time it wasn't so scary.

I also found going back to work after maternity leave difficult, and I think in a pandemic I'd easily have been able to persuade myself it wasn't a good idea. But although it was hard, and only really got easier once dd at school, was always so glad I had.

Its obvs to me that you have new mother worries plus would like to extend your time at home with baby and also are vulnerable. Money isnt everything. If you can reign in outgoings, until you get another job then so be it. When kids start school its hard to find work that fits in with the school run. While off looking after baby, retrain for other work or qualifications. Why do some think there will be no jobs long term. We need to get the country back on its feet. The tax paid by workers will help. Be a mother if that's what you want, but dont let the grass grow under your feet. Think internet courses to be ready later. Good luck hun.x

Haven't read the full thread but is furlough an option?

I'd like to throw in my tuppenceworth and say that you shouldn't quit your job, OP. Although I realise that you're very anxious and that it won't be easy for you at first. I think that (part of) what's happened is that you've stayed at home shielding for so long, probably over-watching the news on TV, and you've developed a phobia around the whole Covid issue. It's understandable, I think all or most of us go through irrational fears in our lives, I know I have. But the only way to overcome them is to slowly take steps to confront the fear. Remember, "Fear" stands for "False Evidence Appearing Real". Most fears do contain a small element of truth in them (yes, you COULD theoretically get struck by lightning / have a serious reaction to a bee sting / etc) but your mind takes that tiny threat and builds it up to the point where it becomes completely out of proportion. I'm sure you know deep down that this is what has happened in your mind regarding Covid. So you have to re-train your mind, as it were. Take a look around, see that people are out and about, shopping, exercising, and not dropping dead all around you. Checkout staff in the supermarkets are not all wearing masks. Now if Covid was that much of a threat, they would all be too scared to go in to work, never mind not wear a mask. As others have suggested, I think you should pop briefly into a small shop, just for a few seconds, then next time for one minute, then buy one thing. Take it slowly, and see for yourself that the danger is less than you imagine it to be, and your fear will begin to dissolve. You can do it.

Before making a decision I suggest asking them what precautions are in place. I work in an office. Most are working from home but some of us cannot. We are tested weekly as a precaution. In the last 6 weeks no positive tests.

Well it sounds like you’ve made your mind up about resigning, I wouldn’t personally in this climate and weighing up the risks of you not just catching COVID but dying from it, but you clearly have some issues that aren’t going to be resolved in a few weeks so resign, spend the time getting yourself together for your child’s sake and then focus on getting a new job. Good luck op.

You should be called for your vaccine soon, I'm 34 with a similar BMI and have an appointment for next week. I wouldn't give up your job, my child goes to nursery and has done all the time they've allowed them to in the last 12 months with only one period of isolation due to a positive case. My husband had a risk factor questionnaire from his work and even with the high bmi the risk was low, I think I came out as a risk factor of someone aged 36 instead of 33 as I was at the time. I have been a wreck off and on since last April due to watching someone almost die of it (multiple health issues and a bmi of 60+) but I'm adamant I'm not going to let this thing control me. I go to the shops, kid goes to nursery I go for walks with friends when I can. The thought of being at work will be much much worse than the reality. If they are covid secure then there will be lots of things in place, sanitising stations, one way systems, masks etc can you use a KIT day and see the office for yourself before you go back? And if on that day it's really as.horrific and unsafe as you think, then hand in the notice? X