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Original poster

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

591 replies

readyplayer2 · 27/02/2021 15:06

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 :(

OP posts:
Dailywalk · 27/02/2021 16:30

Only you can make the decision but I think you’re making a mistake. Find out more about what they’ve done to make the office safe first and talk through your concerns with them. Perhaps they don’t want you to wfh long term but may be willing to agree to it until you get your vaccine?

Redshoeblueshoe · 27/02/2021 16:31

Someone up thread linked to the NHS appointment booking. Have you tried it ? It was quicker for me to book an appointment, than it was to read this thread.

slidingdrawers · 27/02/2021 16:31

"But if I’m office based and my son in in nursery then it’s inevitable I’m going to get it."

No it's not inevitable. Even frontline staff working in a ward full of Covid positive patients, with arguably minimal PPE, haven't all inevitably had it. Many who are positive in the home environment don't go on to infect family members.

You need some exposure therapy to help you alleviate your anxiety. A visit to work/KIT day would I believe help you. You could ask your GP to prescribe you some anxiety medication to help you take what I'm sure seems like a huge step.

Sunshinegirl82 · 27/02/2021 16:32

If I'm honest I think the chances of finding another office based role that is 3 days a week in the next 6-12 months may well be quite low (depending on the job/industry).

I think you're jumping the gun to be honest. Can you ask to see the office first thing or last thing when there are fewer people in? Have you chased up your vaccine? Have you seen your GP to discuss your concerns? I think there are quite a few steps you could take that might resolve this before you hand in your notice.

I have a dc at school and one attending a childminder, I've been into my office throughout. I shop 2 or 3 times a week, go for walks, met up with people when the rules permitted. I have never had covid as far as I'm aware!

LIZS · 27/02/2021 16:32

You could also ask nursery about their protocols, incidences and number of times they have had to self isolate. You also need to make dh aware that there will be times, even non covid, when he will need to do emergency childcare or have a back up plan. Time off for caring for dependants is limited only to as long as you can sort out alternative childcare.

AdriannaP · 27/02/2021 16:33

Don’t do it. I am job hunting now and it’s a nightmare. It’s so much easier to do from an existing job. Part time roles are super rare, you won’t find one easily. getting hired after maternity leave js also very hard.

Pick the phone up on Monday, call your boss, say you have childcare and would like to ask to work from home until you have a vaccine. If that’s not possible go in for a day, tell them you don’t feel safe if you don’t and work from home. Honestly right now don’t give up a secure job!

Hoppinggreen · 27/02/2021 16:33

Did you post the same thing before?
If so people said you were being a bit over the top then so it’s the same now
It’s your decision but you don’t have to leave, you want to

Original poster
readyplayer2 · 27/02/2021 16:34

@user88899

Have you actually looked at the data as to what happens in the majority of people but especially your age?

Yes, I have seen the data.

OP posts:
baffledcoconut · 27/02/2021 16:34

You’ve got 4 weeks mat leave left. The weather is picking up. Get out walking, lose a stone and you’re immediately reducing one of the small risks. You’re not at a massive risk but small reductions will never harm.

You’re completely nuts to jack in your job. Get on a health kick and see what you can achieve in that time.

TheJerkStore · 27/02/2021 16:35

Quitting your job when you can't afford to when we're in the middle of a recession is very risky.
Do you work in a sector where it will be easy to get another job?

Ginger1982 · 27/02/2021 16:35

The risk from your son being in nursery is minimal.

Original poster
readyplayer2 · 27/02/2021 16:35

@Redshoeblueshoe

Someone up thread linked to the NHS appointment booking. Have you tried it ? It was quicker for me to book an appointment, than it was to read this thread.
@Redshoeblueshoe

Yes I’ve tried it, it says I’m not eligible to book online, but it also said ive missed an appointment 🤷🏻‍♀️

I’m definitely group 6 and I haven’t missed any appointments (checked with the Drs this week)

OP posts:
PricklesAndSpikes · 27/02/2021 16:36

You had 7 pages on your thread from last Sunday, I'm not sure that you are going to get different opinions / advice this week to be honest:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4172643-To-quit-my-job-because-of-my-weight

Undisclosedlocation · 27/02/2021 16:36

“But if I’m office based and my son in in nursery then it’s inevitable I’m going to get it."

Thats not even remotely true. You are being ridiculous.

Either go to your GP and get some help for your anxiety or go back to work and just get on with it like everyone else. Subjecting your child to a life of poverty (when you can’t get another job) and excluding him from normal life and mixing with other children for a risk you’ve all but entirely made up is unfair and cruel

MatildaTheCat · 27/02/2021 16:36

You aren’t being rational. At all.

However there’s only one person who needs to support your decision and that’s your DH who will, until you find a job you can feel safe in (and are offered), is going to have to remain the sole breadwinner.

So does he?

Katie517 · 27/02/2021 16:36

It’s not a good time to be job hunting so I wouldn’t if I were you. The risk to you is still quite low and you will have your vaccine soon. Also your child will benefit from being in nursery and the socialisation that will bring. Your office will have measures in place or they wouldn’t be allowed to be open. I think a lot of your anxiety and fear Will go away once you start doing more normal things again. There have been people out at work in face to face roles throughout!

fuzzyduck1 · 27/02/2021 16:36

Get yourself back to work. Being unemployed isn’t much fun.
If you’ve used up this years holiday your company will want that money back as you won’t have accrued it so you may well end up with your last pay packet being a bill for overpaid wages..

user88899 · 27/02/2021 16:40

Yes, I have seen the data

So why are you worried? Do worry about everything else with those kinds of odds?

Original poster
readyplayer2 · 27/02/2021 16:42

@user88899

Yes, I have seen the data

So why are you worried? Do worry about everything else with those kinds of odds?

@user88899

I’m worried because I don’t want to get severely ill or die. The numbers may be low on my age group but that doesn’t mean I won’t be one of those numbers.

OP posts:
Sallycinnamum · 27/02/2021 16:42

OP in your other thread you said you love your job and other posters have said you'd be absolutely bonkers to hand your notice in now.

Finding a part time job in the current climate will be extremely difficult. What happens if you can't get another job or you can only get one that is full time?

huggzy · 27/02/2021 16:43

Find out exactly how 'covid secure' your workplace is. Are you able to contact colleagues to ask them? Do they feel safe? Do they think your employer is taking every possibly precaution? I think they'd possibly be more honest about the reality of it day to day than your boss would be. Their answers might help you make your mind up?

confusednortherner · 27/02/2021 16:44

Sorry to be blunt but I think you actually need to pull yourself together.
It's 4 weeks away, numbers are dropping and you've said yourself you can't afford not to work. It would be stupid to hand your notice in over this.
I do sympathise as I'm also cv so group 6 but I've worked throughout in school and only had my vaccine this week so will have a full school back before the vaccine kicks in properly. Be as careful as you can ie mask, hand washing, change clothes when home but don't let this anxiety ruin your life.

EileenGC · 27/02/2021 16:46

But if I’m office based and my son in in nursery then it’s inevitable I’m going to get it.

This is simply not true. Less than 10% of the UK population has tested positive for Covid in the last year. Do you really think the other 90% who have avoided it have been locked in at home ever since? That everyone who’s been outside/working in an office/at nursery has had Covid?

I’ve kept working throughout. With 150 people, without social distance or masks for most of the day, and guess what. No one has caught it. Our workplace has also been deemed Covid secure - even with those numbers and conditions which are unavoidable - and none of us have caught the virus. That is why risk assessments and protocols exist, so the workplace is secure.

There are many others on this thread who have also said they’ve been going to work, in a Covid secure environment, and haven’t had it. Measures minimise risk. But by staying at home you don’t suddenly erase all risk. You can still catch it from a variety of sources, so please don’t think you’ll 100% get it if you go back to work. That is simply not true.

HerRoyalNotness · 27/02/2021 16:46

I don’t know what industry you’re in but I encourage you not to resign. I left a job in 2015 for what essentially were mental health reasons, then the oil down turn happened then the pandemic. I haven’t got a job since, well I did in March last year and was laid off 2 weeks later due to covid, and more oil downturn.

Do what you can to set your mind at rest. Double mask, visor, hand washing, clorox wipes for your workstation, social distance in the office, eat lunch outside or at your desk instead of a lunch room. Plenty of people haven’t caught it that have been back in the office or at school, there is no reason to believe you will definitely catch it.

Chase the GP for your vaccine also

PatchworkElmer · 27/02/2021 16:47

It’s not inevitable that you will catch it! I really think you need to speak to your GP about your anxiety- tell them that you’re about to quit your job (which you need) because of it).

FWIW, I’m CV- as is DH. DS has been going to nursery throughout this last lockdown. I went into my office before this lockdown because my employer required it. I do understand your anxiety but I think you’re overreacting massively here, especially as you haven’t even asked what measures your workplace have set up.