Pressured to return to office but cases rising locally. Where is their duty of care?

[Nutsoh]

Despite WFH successfully since last March we’ve been told over the past few weeks that our offices now have to be manned to 50% in a bid to transition back to full occupancy.

Some managers have turned the thumbscrews on their teams to —force— encourage part of their departments back, they’ve pushed the teams that have a lot of static equipment back in FT and allowed those with laptops the benefit of coming and going when they please with their laptops.

Despite the 2m rule we are allowed to sit in the office, anything up to 10 of us without masks, just needing to put masks on to walk around. There is a one way system but the kitchen is a free for all and you can go into the toilet right after someone else has just used it even though ventilation is poor.

So, I didnt have too much of an issue with this but cases are now rising locally and I feel it’s only a matter of time that it’s going to go through the office. We’ve all had at least one jab but I’m starting to feel a little anxious about someone getting it and it running through the whole building.

So, from a duty of care POV, if someone gets Covid through work and it leaves them seriously I’ll or with long Covid where does that leave the company legally seeing as they’ve more or less forced people back in despite the guidance still being to WFH if you can.

Can people take action against their company if this happens?

Whatteva you say

What a weird thing to say. Why would it bother me in the slightest, that you don't believe me?

It absolutely make no difference to me, my job title or sector. But if it makes you feel better, to believe that I work in the public sector, to justify your abelism as though it's common practice in the private sector crack on

But if it makes you feel better, to believe that I work in the public sector, to justify your abelism as though it's common practice in the private sector crack on hmm

Absolutely batshit

Look, I have been following this thread from the start. Dress it up as you will, but wfh works. Emissions, time saved etc etc etc.
The only reason after all I have read for people to go back into the office doesn’t wash with me and to be quite frank, all those for going back just sound extremely bitter they were forced out when they didn’t feel safe. So I will say again (which no one responded to) just because in your job role you had no choice to not wfh and felt unsafe doing so, does it make you feel better in some twisted way it’s now the turn of people who have been wfh?!! Come on now..... really?!!!!

Absolutely batshit

I don't actually mind that. I quite like that someone that thinks people with mental health issues must quit their jobs and find something else, without their employer even trying to support, thinks i am batshit.

That's really OK. 👌

Dress it up as you will, but wfh works.

You feel informed enough to declare this for every company?

Dear god 🤦‍♀️

That's really OK

Super 👍

@Mamanyt

I do not know the company's liability. I will tell you this...with one jab, you are about 80% protected, and the chances of it becoming an issue are very small.

This is not correct and believe me I wish it was.

After one dose of BioNTech, only 32% protection against Delta

www.openaccessgovernment.org/vaccines-effective-delta-variant/112214/

You are looking for excuses to carry on shirking from home. It is highly unlikely Covid will surge through your office. Most of you have had at least one jab by your own admission. If someone tests positive they and close colleagues will be sent home and isolated. Our office has been open throughout. We have had one case since Xmas among several hundred people. Even if you do get it, the chances are you won't die or be seriously ill. I've worked for most of the pandemic full time in my office. There is a distinction between WFH for safety and health reasons and WFH as a lifestyle luxury. I am not jealous of people seeking to WFH permanently because I think you are going to get a rude awakening. When companies cut back on staff, who are they going to target first? The people they see every day at their desk, or the ones they haven't seen for 18 months and have no intention of coming back again? Who do you think is going to get promoted? It may not be right, but it's realistic. You and the other WFH acolytes need to have a think. Do you really believe it is feasible for you to have the best of both worlds, ie a lovely lifestyle with no downsides such as a commute, and the same salary, promotion prospects and
cushy job? What could possibly go wrong with that? Maybe employers will wonder why pay someone UK salary to WFH when they could get someone from a lower cost economy overseas. And employers are researching robotic solutions to lots of tasks, as robots do not get Covid, need to socially isolate, demand to WFH - and don't need to be paid.

So you want to be scared all your life & make excuses for people not to go to the office?
Either get on with it or stay home shut the curtains & never go out. Ridiculous.
Sorry, that was a rant. Please return to the real world 🙏 😘

@TrixieMixie

You are looking for excuses to carry on shirking from home. It is highly unlikely Covid will surge through your office. Most of you have had at least one jab by your own admission. If someone tests positive they and close colleagues will be sent home and isolated. Our office has been open throughout. We have had one case since Xmas among several hundred people. Even if you do get it, the chances are you won't die or be seriously ill. I've worked for most of the pandemic full time in my office. There is a distinction between WFH for safety and health reasons and WFH as a lifestyle luxury. I am not jealous of people seeking to WFH permanently because I think you are going to get a rude awakening. When companies cut back on staff, who are they going to target first? The people they see every day at their desk, or the ones they haven't seen for 18 months and have no intention of coming back again? Who do you think is going to get promoted? It may not be right, but it's realistic. You and the other WFH acolytes need to have a think. Do you really believe it is feasible for you to have the best of both worlds, ie a lovely lifestyle with no downsides such as a commute, and the same salary, promotion prospects and cushy job? What could possibly go wrong with that? Maybe employers will wonder why pay someone UK salary to WFH when they could get someone from a lower cost economy overseas. And employers are researching robotic solutions to lots of tasks, as robots do not get Covid, need to socially isolate, demand to WFH - and don't need to be paid.

Yeah, you don't sound jealous at all.

@TrixieMixie

You are looking for excuses to carry on shirking from home. It is highly unlikely Covid will surge through your office. Most of you have had at least one jab by your own admission. If someone tests positive they and close colleagues will be sent home and isolated. Our office has been open throughout. We have had one case since Xmas among several hundred people. Even if you do get it, the chances are you won't die or be seriously ill. I've worked for most of the pandemic full time in my office. There is a distinction between WFH for safety and health reasons and WFH as a lifestyle luxury. I am not jealous of people seeking to WFH permanently because I think you are going to get a rude awakening. When companies cut back on staff, who are they going to target first? The people they see every day at their desk, or the ones they haven't seen for 18 months and have no intention of coming back again? Who do you think is going to get promoted? It may not be right, but it's realistic. You and the other WFH acolytes need to have a think. Do you really believe it is feasible for you to have the best of both worlds, ie a lovely lifestyle with no downsides such as a commute, and the same salary, promotion prospects and cushy job? What could possibly go wrong with that? Maybe employers will wonder why pay someone UK salary to WFH when they could get someone from a lower cost economy overseas. And employers are researching robotic solutions to lots of tasks, as robots do not get Covid, need to socially isolate, demand to WFH - and don't need to be paid.

Actually yes. Earlier this year I received the biggest payrise I've had in my entire career, and I am likely to get a promotion later this year. All whilst wfh 😊

Why don't you apply for a job that is y WFH? Obv that is what you want. They aren't obligated to give that to you.

Actually yes. Earlier this year I received the biggest payrise I've had in my entire career, and I am likely to get a promotion later this year. All whilst wfh

Its weird isn't it that everyone thinks all companies did badly and that rewards aren't given to wfh staff.

@TrixieMixie

You are looking for excuses to carry on shirking from home. It is highly unlikely Covid will surge through your office. Most of you have had at least one jab by your own admission. If someone tests positive they and close colleagues will be sent home and isolated. Our office has been open throughout. We have had one case since Xmas among several hundred people. Even if you do get it, the chances are you won't die or be seriously ill. I've worked for most of the pandemic full time in my office. There is a distinction between WFH for safety and health reasons and WFH as a lifestyle luxury. I am not jealous of people seeking to WFH permanently because I think you are going to get a rude awakening. When companies cut back on staff, who are they going to target first? The people they see every day at their desk, or the ones they haven't seen for 18 months and have no intention of coming back again? Who do you think is going to get promoted? It may not be right, but it's realistic. You and the other WFH acolytes need to have a think. Do you really believe it is feasible for you to have the best of both worlds, ie a lovely lifestyle with no downsides such as a commute, and the same salary, promotion prospects and cushy job? What could possibly go wrong with that? Maybe employers will wonder why pay someone UK salary to WFH when they could get someone from a lower cost economy overseas. And employers are researching robotic solutions to lots of tasks, as robots do not get Covid, need to socially isolate, demand to WFH - and don't need to be paid.

Beginning of last year I was working in the office as a manager, went WFH as of March 2020, since then I've had 2 promotions, contract has been changed to permanent WFH and found out Friday I'm being promoted again. Salary has increased by 60% in a year and 3 months.

WFH is not a guaranteed career killer.

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

And WFH is optional at your company?

@TheKeatingFive may I ask, did you have to go into the work place throughout this? Do you have a job that required that? Thanks

I wasn’t required to go in, no

I don't understand why so many on here are attacking @Nutsoh we can all simple state your views without the undertone of being on the attack.

The last 18 months has been tough for everyone some more so than others but we need to respect that some people are more anxious than others about returning to "normal".

A bit of kindness and encouragement would go amiss.

OP, maybe discuss your concerns with your manager or HR and see how you can return to the office without making your anxiety worse. If you have suggestions of what they could do to make others feel more at ease raise them and see if these measures can be put in place.

It's likely you are not the only person in the office that feels this way.

Good luck

@TheKeatingFive but did you go in? If so why?

Well, a bit of an update. Managers have today scrapped the idea of returning whole teams at once (the building was meant to be 50% manned but our team of 8 in one room were all due to return tomorrow).

It’s suddenly dawned on them that if one of us catch it we will all then have to self isolate (or we may be unwell enough not to be able to work) as we are all sitting without masks at roughly 1.5m distances from one another.

We are a team of support staff that organise the whole logistics for our company, if there’s enough disruption to our team the company would struggle to send goods out.

Advice has now changed to only 4 in the office at a time, a week in and a week WFH in rotation. So if one ‘team’ is affected at least the other one can operate.

And all you jealous people telling me ‘get back to work’ I worked harder than ever WFH, longer hours, less breaks with no chit chat, breaks from the desk, there was / is an overwhelming need to be ‘present’ in case people like you did think we are shirking.

The reason I asked the question was simply the risk of becoming unwell is far greater when in the office. I was interested in whether the company could be held accountable.

I want nothing better than to go back properly, it’ll be a damn site easier than being at home!

It’s suddenly dawned on them that if one of us catch it we will all then have to self isolate (or we may be unwell enough not to be able to work) as we are all sitting without masks at roughly 1.5m distances from one another.

Amazing how they can get to the day before and not have even have thought of this.

Its one of the clear risks.

Do you feel better now?

And I rhibk the honest answer is that no one knows if they could be held accountable or not. Unless someone actually tries to hold their company accountable, no one can say yes or no.

My personal opinion, is that they should be held accountable, especially if its poorly planned (this sounds like it was), forbno other reason than just 'because', was while the wfh guidance was in place and while cases are rising.

Again my personal opinion (but going off what happen at my company) decent employers are trying to figure this out before forcing anyone back.

I think they’d spent a lot of time deciding and risk assessing the building with 50% occupancy in mind but nobody seems to have actually drilled down and thought about the risk of whole departments coming back and the effect that it would have on the company if those whole departments were too sick to work.
Beggars belief.
I do feel better, at least I know that if It does get into the workforce I’ve a slightly lower chance of catching it now.
I have had my first jab so know I’d be less likely to be unwell, more annoying is the resultant disruption to my family at home too, husband and kids all themselves having to isolate and lose school / work etc.

All very well saying ‘you gotta get on with it’ but it’s common sense that less mixing = less cases.

So glad uouvare feeling better. And the disruption to our own family if you test positive can have fairly big impacts on the kids.

Good luck with it all

Also those shouting everyone has to go back are weird IMO. Of course some will WFH forever now.

@PracticingPerson ha ha - you (and many others on here) wish. It’ll be business as usual sooner rather than later I’m afraid - as posts like the OP’s show. Soz to burst your bubble!

As someone who usually works in IT and had a 3 and a half hour round trip to the office every day in the last contract I don't see why I shouldn't continue to work from home. There's simply no need to go in. I get far more done when WFH and not rushing for a train. I also hang around a bit longer at the end of shifts to check everything, no time for that when trying to catch those trains and tubes.