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?

I would love to only work with 10 people socially distances instead of 6 classes of 32 every day and I was doing this before vaccinations and masks. I had my 2m strip of tape to protect me and ‘ventilation’. Oh wait, I forget I teach in a room without an open window.

Like a PP, I am fed of hearing ‘I work at home successfully’, ‘less people out and about so reducing contact’ etc. My next door neighbour wfh. They love it because they can take their children to and from school. She can exercise each day. She has more time. Just say you order wfh is easier for YOUR life.

*want to (not order)

If one member of the team isn't comfy with another not wearing a mask you all wear them
This is rubbish. One paranoid person should not dictate to the others. Let them wear a mask if they want to be dramatic but they do not have the right to impose it on others.
Luckily in secondary schools the DC and teachers do not wear masks in class and in a greater density and mix than the OPs office ( I am a teacher) -there is of course always the odd one that does - but they are just that - the odd one. Would be bonkers if they could insist that everyone else did.

What motherrunner said.

As someone who works in an office and has done throughout lock-downs, this is the real world. Welcome.

@motherrunner

I would love to only work with 10 people socially distances instead of 6 classes of 32 every day and I was doing this before vaccinations and masks. I had my 2m strip of tape to protect me and ‘ventilation’. Oh wait, I forget I teach in a room without an open window.

Like a PP, I am fed of hearing ‘I work at home successfully’, ‘less people out and about so reducing contact’ etc. My next door neighbour wfh. They love it because they can take their children to and from school. She can exercise each day. She has more time. Just say you order wfh is easier for YOUR life.

Yep this. So fed up of people acting like they're being so noble by WFH. Just be honest and say it's better for you.

Did you use online shopping, supermarkets, delivery drivers? Were your bins emptied? How do you think the less important people managed? Before anyone gets annoyed with me for using less important, I am one of those people

@HappyTimeTunnelDinosaur

I agree with you sort of. I also don't understand why everyone keeps shouting that people need to return ASAP. Many have been working just as well, if not better from home and the impact on the environment is amazing. To me more people being able to wfh is a fantastic opportunity for less car journeys and better air quality etc.

And future increased costs in public transport for those of us who rely on it. Can't wait.

I don’t understand the resentment that is shown for those that can work from home successfully. They have a job where their value is transferable and they can satisfy (in many cases more than satisfy) their employers that they do it just as well from home as in the office.

Many professional people work for clients all around the country - or at least outside their home city - and don’t physically them anyway. They worked hard to get to where they are and many have worked hard all through the pandemic, making money for their firms.

Why the resentment? Times have moved on and not everyone is a butcher, baker or candlestick maker that needs to be in their shop all the damn time.

YABU, the risk is negligible. What exactly are you worried about? You should see your GP re anxiety. I suggest you resign if you are not prepared to return hybrid. Loads of people ready to take your position.

@DadAManger

I don’t understand the resentment that is shown for those that can work from home successfully. They have a job where their value is transferable and they can satisfy (in many cases more than satisfy) their employers that they do it just as well from home as in the office.

Many professional people work for clients all around the country - or at least outside their home city - and don’t physically them anyway. They worked hard to get to where they are and many have worked hard all through the pandemic, making money for their firms.

Why the resentment? Times have moved on and not everyone is a butcher, baker or candlestick maker that needs to be in their shop all the damn time.

No resentment from me, just don't pretend that WFH is doing those who can't WFH a huge favour.

@DadAManger

I don’t understand the resentment that is shown for those that can work from home successfully. They have a job where their value is transferable and they can satisfy (in many cases more than satisfy) their employers that they do it just as well from home as in the office.

Many professional people work for clients all around the country - or at least outside their home city - and don’t physically them anyway. They worked hard to get to where they are and many have worked hard all through the pandemic, making money for their firms.

Why the resentment? Times have moved on and not everyone is a butcher, baker or candlestick maker that needs to be in their shop all the damn time.

Completely agree with this.

I don’t understand the resentment that is shown for those that can work from home successfully.

Has WFH been so successful if OPs employer wants everyone back in the office?

I resent the attitude that WFH is saving us all.

So so many jobs are not able to be done WFH
I'm a TA I've worked though the whole pandemic in school ..no furlough ..no working from home
If it's time to go back to the office..then go in !!!!!!!

I think the guise of not wanting to go back for safety reasons is irritating too. You don't want to put yourself at risk but you're quite happy for other people to put themselves at risk.

Contact the Health and Safety Executive and talk it through with them. There are lots of resources on this page.

www.hse.gov.uk/contact/

Someone at the company should have done a risk assessment and be willing to share this with the workforce. Maybe ask through your union if you have one?

@Waxonwaxoff0

I think the guise of not wanting to go back for safety reasons is irritating too. You don't want to put yourself at risk but you're quite happy for other people to put themselves at risk.

This!

As if those of us who haven’t been able to WFH should be grateful that we’re being protected by those who have. Yes, so thankful.

Some employers want to get people back because that is what they like. That may be a smart move - it may not be. The people who generate significant value will leave if that is not a smart move. They will have other options.

If your job is to physically be in front of people - you are a teacher or work in manufacturing - then it is hard and I DO know you have done your job during a pandemic (and a favour to this country). No-one is saying that those that WFH successfully have ‘saved the country’. Certainly not the OP either. What they have done is kept their firms making money, saved their jobs, saved their families finances, kept a roof over their heads and saved from becoming another cost to the state.

It is not saving us all, but there is no need for resentment for them is there?

@Waxonwaxoff0

Who's acting like they're doing you a big favour by working from home? I've not seen that.

I'm a Ks1 teacher. Definitely not me.

No one being critical of the OP knows what the risk is for the individuals involved. Some may have been shielding and they all have every right to question their employer. You all do.

@motherrunner

I've seen the word "selfish" bandied about so much during this pandemic, but people seem so reluctant to admit that they want WFH to continue for selfish reasons and are so insistent that it's beneficial for everyone.

Get a grip you do realise the millions of people who haven’t been able to work from home at all don’t you . Those of us who had to work before vaccinations.

I don’t understand the resentment that is shown for those that can work from home successfully. It is just basic work resentment I think. Those jobs already had flexible working, pensions, good sick pay, decent t&cs etc anyway, this is another thing for those with more difficult conditions to be aggreived about.

[quote yeahdarling]@Waxonwaxoff0

Who's acting like they're doing you a big favour by working from home? I've not seen that.

I'm a Ks1 teacher. Definitely not me. [/quote]
Someone literally posted it upthread about how WFH makes it safer for people who can't WFH.