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Original poster

Office lift has a 'no talking rule'

154 replies

theworstoftimes · 09/09/2021 19:23

I think this is taking covid rules too far.
AIBU?

OP posts:
UrbanRambler · 11/09/2021 00:16

The rule is sensible, to mitigate the risk. Ideally it would be wiser to take the stairs, but not practical for high rise blocks.

OP, the rule might seem daft to you, but in the scheme of things it's such a small thing to get irked by. You're lucky to still have your job. I was made redundant last year, from an office job I loved. I really miss it, and doubt I will get another comparable job. Many employers now are asking for the moon on a stick, while paying minimum wage. Job hunting is so depressing right now.

Peteycat · 11/09/2021 00:44

"00:16UrbanRambler

The rule is sensible, to mitigate the risk. Ideally it would be wiser to take the stairs, but not practical for high rise blocks.

OP, the rule might seem daft to you, but in the scheme of things it's such a small thing to get irked by. You're lucky to still have your job. I was made redundant last year, from an office job I loved. I really miss it, and doubt I will get another comparable job. Many employers now are asking for the moon on a stick, while paying minimum wage. Job hunting is so depressing right now"

This thread isn't about jobs. It's about ridiculous rules people are making up as they go along.

UrbanRambler · 11/09/2021 00:55

@Peteycat Well, back on topic, here's a link to an article which explains the science behind the lift rule: www.livescience.com/elevator-safety-covid19-pandemic.html You might think the rule is ridiculous, but science backs it.

Peteycat · 11/09/2021 00:58

"00:55UrbanRambler

@Peteycat Well, back on topic, here's a link to an article which explains the science behind the lift rule: www.livescience.com/elevator-safety-covid19-pandemic.html You might think the rule is ridiculous, but science backs it"

Do you know something, science is a wonderful thing. It's amazing in fact. However, I don't wish to live my life governed by it. I quite enjoy common sense and a little dose of free thinking. It's very good for us you know.

UrbanRambler · 11/09/2021 01:06

@Peteycat Healthy debate is also good for us. Smile It's fine to hold different opinions.

Peteycat · 11/09/2021 03:02

"01:06UrbanRambler

@Peteycat Healthy debate is also good for us. smile It's fine to hold different opinions"

At least you are a nice poster with a different opinion to me! Most shout at me!

lljkk · 11/09/2021 03:53

@SMBH

“ I find it bonkers that people still struggle with risk assessments after all this time.”

Me too. I sat through a Q&A thing at work where someone asked about how to maintain social distancing whilst evacuating in the case of a fire.

Remember the Glasgow Halls of Residence policy in case of fire, anyone covid-exposure-isolating had to wait for all others to evacuate first?

Don't say that covid risk assessments didn't go insane.

marmaladehound · 11/09/2021 06:41

@NCBlossom yes talking will increase the risk of any airborne viruses been transmitted, not droplets. But quite frankly in the current context I see it as madness!

The majority of adults are double vaccinated. This in itself reduces the risk of transmission by 40%. I imagine the company has a policy for people to wear masks, again reduces transmission. If anyone has symptoms of Covid they should be isolating until they receive a -ve PCR test so should not be at work unless they have confirmed that their symptoms are not Covid. Yes people can carry the virus without symptoms but again the risk of transmission here is again a lot lower than previously thought.

There was the pre vaccine Covid world where there was a lot of risk of severe illness and death to the vulnerable and intense risk assessments were required 100%. But this is Covid with vaccines. Really truly the risk to all those vaccinated is now so much lower, though lots of people scaremongering on social media sites won't let anyone believe this. This is also applicable to a massive reduction is risk of long Covid for those double vaccinated.

I know people will respond by calling bullshit and that Covid is just as bad as it ever has been, but really it is not. And there are many stats to back this up

So in light of the current situation I think this risk assessment is too much. Masks yes, not talking in a lift. Nope!

lannistunut · 11/09/2021 06:46

science is a wonderful thing. It's amazing in fact. However, I don't wish to live my life governed by it. I quite enjoy common sense and a little dose of free thinking

I think though that it is unreasonable to ask others to live that way, at this time. You can do that in your home, and in spaces, but you can't inflict your desire to ignore science onto others, when it could harm them.

I was a smoker when the smoking ban came in, and I supported it. The science was that my smoking was bad for the health of others.

IMO the lift question is similar - you not being free to chat is a lesser harm than someone else catching covid from you in the lift.

I also am completely sceptical about the idea of acknowledging something is scientifically justified and describing doing the opposite as common 'sense'. What that actually is, is common 'foolishness'. We all do things that are contrary to scientific advice, but doing so has nothing to do with sense.

Free thinking is irrelevant, I am a free thinker whether I choose to heed a warning or ignore it. The presence of workplace h&s rules in no way limits my free thinking.

DameFanny · 11/09/2021 09:11

"Do you know something, science is a wonderful thing. It's amazing in fact. However, I don't wish to live my life governed by it. I quite enjoy common sense and a little dose of free thinking. It's very good for us you know." from @Peteycat

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha etc

You actually think your 'common sense' is more useful than tested scientific data? Or that 'a little dose of free thinking' is more to the point than, well facts?

You may not 'wish to live my life governed by it', so how about you just go and live free of, say, gravity. Or the cardio vascular system. Or oxygen exchange. Or the rate of entropy. All those confining ridiculous dogmatic science things. Go on.

Ridiculous.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2021 09:13

Ours won't let you press on two floors at a time because people from different floors aren't supposed to mix. But you just wait until the first person's gone and then press on your own floor.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2021 09:15

"never been in a library then"

You obviously haven't been in a library in the last ten years then. Some of them even have concerts now!

herecomesthsun · 11/09/2021 09:26

@Gwenhwyfar

"never been in a library then"

You obviously haven't been in a library in the last ten years then. Some of them even have concerts now!

& some of them still have quiet study areas
Reloxa · 11/09/2021 09:53

Sounds sensible.

Wouldn't mind if they banned talking on the tube as well for a while. You can't distance, only about 50% wear masks, and to talk on the tube you generally have to raise your voice or even shout if the person is opposite.

MistressoftheDarkSide · 11/09/2021 12:27

The bus thing....... most people including drivers are still masked in our neck of the woods..... and drivers are behind a sheet of perspex..... when I say my muffled thank you I'm generally on my way out the door..... is this truly regarded as a risk???

Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2021 13:23

"& some of them still have quiet study areas"

Not one I've been to for years. And how does that work anyway? A concert in one area and another area is silent???

Gwenhwyfar · 11/09/2021 13:24

@MistressoftheDarkSide

The bus thing....... most people including drivers are still masked in our neck of the woods..... and drivers are behind a sheet of perspex..... when I say my muffled thank you I'm generally on my way out the door..... is this truly regarded as a risk???
Where I live we have to go out the middle or back door, we are not allowed anywhere near the driver. Obviously not possible on buses with only one door...
Peteycat · 11/09/2021 13:27

Honestly people on here talking about banning talking etc, and calling me ridiculous please go away and have a word with yourself. This is getting ridiculous now, I will not be banned from talking by anyone it is my favourite hobby.

DameFanny · 11/09/2021 14:01

@Gwenhwyfar

"& some of them still have quiet study areas"

Not one I've been to for years. And how does that work anyway? A concert in one area and another area is silent???

Walls, perhaps?
DameFanny · 11/09/2021 14:02

@Peteycat

Honestly people on here talking about banning talking etc, and calling me ridiculous please go away and have a word with yourself. This is getting ridiculous now, I will not be banned from talking by anyone it is my favourite hobby.
You might find people think you're less ridiculous if you also learn to listen
Peteycat · 11/09/2021 14:04

"14:02DameFanny

Peteycat

Honestly people on here talking about banning talking etc, and calling me ridiculous please go away and have a word with yourself. This is getting ridiculous now, I will not be banned from talking by anyone it is my favourite hobby.

You might find people think you're less ridiculous if you also learn to listen"

Learn to listen about what exactly?! I can't listen because everyone is trying to ban conversations! 😂 There will be nothing to listen to!

marmaladehound · 11/09/2021 14:23

@Peteycat

Honestly people on here talking about banning talking etc, and calling me ridiculous please go away and have a word with yourself. This is getting ridiculous now, I will not be banned from talking by anyone it is my favourite hobby.
Me too!! Just no. We need perspective and to be able to talk!!
minionese · 11/09/2021 15:31

@GCAcademic

You should get your employer to issue you all with one of these.

It would also be really fun as you could pretend you were being launched into space as you went up to your office in the lift.

Perfect
DameFanny · 11/09/2021 15:51

Listen to perfectly rational reasons for not talking for whole minutes at a time while in a small enclosed space for the relatively short duration of a global health emergency? Do you not acknowledge anything anyone's says to you, or are you just set to transmit only?

Peteycat · 11/09/2021 21:35

"15:51DameFanny

Listen to perfectly rational reasons for not talking for whole minutes at a time while in a small enclosed space for the relatively short duration of a global health emergency? Do you not acknowledge anything anyone's says to you, or are you just set to transmit only?"

The only thing I'm trying not to transmit in a lift is the sneaky stench from my arse because I enjoy a mainly plant based diet!😂

They are not perfectly rational reasons, they are stupid! 😂 Will you try and ban farting next? Shall we all hold our breath until we reach the level we desire to get out on? It is bloody silly.

Can you imagine hauling a member of staff in to a disciplinary, saying well you were caught talking in the lift to xyz at 2.55pm. What would the punishment be? Would they be sacked?!! Really come on now.