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Original poster

Sick of selfish colleague!!

54 replies

PanettoneSeason · 22/12/2021 09:35

Very small team (6 of us) working closely with members of the public and with each other. Impossible to maintain physical distance at work due to the nature of the job. 5 of us are very aware of this - testing at least twice a week, or before each shift for those of us that are FT. There are 3 with very young children (1 with a child with a health condition), 1 who looks after elderly family, and I have a young child and a very close family member undergoing cancer treatment. 2 of us have lost loved ones to covid. All are fully vaccinated including boosters.

But the 6th member of staff (PT, works 3 days) is firmly anti-vax/anti-testing. Believes the whole of covid is a conspiracy (“if there was actually a pandemic then people would be dropping dead in the street” 🙄). We’re in Scotland. In the last 2 weeks she’s been to London twice. Once to attend a gig and see family, the other time to attend a large family event and go to some Christmas events. This weekend she was in Edinburgh for the markets etc. Twice in the last 2 months she has had to have a forced 10 days off work due to having symptoms and refusing to get PCR tested. She won’t touch a LFT either. Son also had symptoms one of the times but she sent him to school as she felt too unwell to look after him 😳
I have 1 FT member of staff who has a very close family member that has just passed away this week. She’s understandably asked for some time off and all other staff have happily picked up extra shifts to cover - as we all would do for each other in the same situation.
I’ve just had a call this morning the anti-Vaxer has got a fever again. Refusing to get a PCR. Another forced 10 day isolation. So it now falls on the rest of us to cover her shifts at this bloody time of year.

I know we can’t force people to be vaccinated or try to limit contact but my gosh, it is SO frustrating 😡

OP posts:
TyrannosaurusRegina · 22/12/2021 20:02

@TooWicked

She sounds like a selfish twat and o totally understand your frustration.

Unfortunately for you and your colleagues anyone can now self-certify for 28 days sick leave. I doubt there’s much HR can do.

I didn't know this about self certifying for 28 days. Have they changed it during covid and is it specifically for covid related sickness? I can't find anything about it online.
TooWicked · 22/12/2021 20:10

@TyrannosaurusRegina

It changed on 10th December, it’s been in the news and it’s on the government website.

genieinacan · 22/12/2021 20:17

I would be livid AngryAngryAngry no help OP but your feelings are justified.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 22/12/2021 20:36

[quote TooWicked]@TyrannosaurusRegina

It changed on 10th December, it’s been in the news and it’s on the government website.[/quote]
Thanks, I'll have a look. I don't watch too much telly but I'll go check out the govt website.

AntiHop · 22/12/2021 20:39

I'm furious on your behalf. Stupid, selfish woman.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 22/12/2021 20:44

It sounds like you are doing the RTW interviews?

Is there really nothing AT ALL she could do from home?

gettingolderandgrumpy · 22/12/2021 20:50

I know what you mean similar situation with a colleague of mine but we can wfh so not a issue as such but I do agree with you . I’m not bothered if people won’t have the vaccine but they need to get they have different rules to the rest of us and I think employers should start by not paying people who repeatedly have to isolate who are not vaccinated. I think they shouldn’t be able to go to events or crowed places without a pcr test . If they are happy to refuse the vaccine then they should except the tougher rules.

Original poster
PanettoneSeason · 22/12/2021 20:57

@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams

It sounds like you are doing the RTW interviews?

Is there really nothing AT ALL she could do from home?

@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams Yes, there are 2 of us that can do the RTW interviews so it just depends who is on shift on her first day back. Small retail environment so I really struggle to see any duties that can be done from home. If it were myself I could do staff schedules, target, monthly planers etc but those are not part of her job role.
OP posts:
visitingagain · 23/12/2021 08:05

@PanettoneSeason there's probably a bit in her contract about any other duties as directed by management so you could give her some of that to do?

BitterTits · 23/12/2021 08:13

She is to blame, actually. I don't believe in forcing the vax on anyone (I've had three). However it takes the piss to refuse to LFT/PCR and is an insult to everyone working in risky situations. I got a warning for being absent while waiting 24 hours for a PCR ffs!

Original poster
PanettoneSeason · 23/12/2021 08:25

[quote visitingagain]@PanettoneSeason there's probably a bit in her contract about any other duties as directed by management so you could give her some of that to do?[/quote]
@visitingagain Yeah, I could definitely send her copies and I could make instructions taking her through each step and what is done to calculate figures/targets etc (it’s not something she’s trained in as it isn’t part of her job - it’s only handled by management). Everything is paper based and I need the hard copies daily so tbh, I’d be giving myself much more work to do in prepping copies and instructions etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanettoneSeason · 23/12/2021 08:30

@BitterTits

She is to blame, actually. I don't believe in forcing the vax on anyone (I've had three). However it takes the piss to refuse to LFT/PCR and is an insult to everyone working in risky situations. I got a warning for being absent while waiting 24 hours for a PCR ffs!
@BitterTits Yeah that’s my feelings exactly. I couldn’t care less if she wants the vax or not - each to their own. But to refuse basic testing is just selfish in my opinion. I think it just makes it more infuriating because the rest of us are all of the opinion that whatever we each need to do to keep ourselves, each other and all our families safer, we will do. But she literally couldn’t care less. And that really doesn’t work in such a small team!
OP posts:
Chloemol · 23/12/2021 08:46

Surely unless she gets a pcr all this sickness can’t be contributed to covid, therefore it’s all treated as three lots of sickness and your sickness disciplinary policy will come into force. Is she paid for sickness or just SSP?

antisocialsocialclub · 23/12/2021 09:11

@Popfan

So she thinks covid is all a conspiracy and refuses to test etc but is quite happy to isolate and not work due to symptoms..... hmmmmm
Yeah I think she’s lying and knows she can get away with it if she doesn’t need to prove infection
treesandweeds · 23/12/2021 09:19

Why is she saying she cant do lateral flows or PCr tests? They are not a vaccine, they should be standard to come into work. Hr should be saying, no positive test then get yourself Into work or there will be a disciplinary. No vaccine, that's her choice, but no testing? No, that's taking the mickey .

Wellbythebloodyhell · 23/12/2021 09:40

My workplace insists on twice weekly testing if a test isn't submitted you are sent off site without pay until a negative test can be provided also multiple occasions of sickness would also trigger disciplinary procedures. Good luck to her trying a find customer facing role without having to do any of this. Just hold your nerve she will end up getting sacked unless she starts to get over herself and stick the swab up her nose.

Gilmorehill · 23/12/2021 09:44

Surely repeated absences will become an HR problem? Isn’t it called ‘absenteeism’?

100problems · 23/12/2021 12:06

HR here. The problem is that she's tapped the point in the current (English) guidelines that say if you have symptoms you have to SI. There's nothing to make you test, plus her unvaccinated status means she has to isolate if a member of the household also has symptoms.

You only have to look at the problems the NHS is experiencing with unvaccinated staff to see how difficult it is.

It is infuriating. The vast majority of people, as always, are supportive of the guidelines and comply, whether they fundamentally agree or not. Conversely we have employees that have bled every rule change white. If you had to isolate only because you own a Labrador dog, you can count on them getting one.

Original poster
PanettoneSeason · 24/12/2021 02:13

@100problems

HR here. The problem is that she's tapped the point in the current (English) guidelines that say if you have symptoms you have to SI. There's nothing to make you test, plus her unvaccinated status means she has to isolate if a member of the household also has symptoms.

You only have to look at the problems the NHS is experiencing with unvaccinated staff to see how difficult it is.

It is infuriating. The vast majority of people, as always, are supportive of the guidelines and comply, whether they fundamentally agree or not. Conversely we have employees that have bled every rule change white. If you had to isolate only because you own a Labrador dog, you can count on them getting one.

@100problems Yeah, exactly this. She had previously mentioned that she felt that as a single parent she shouldn’t be scheduled in to work over Christmas and new year because it was an expensive time of year anyway and now she was still having to pay for childcare as well 🤯 so the 10 day isolation has come at a very convenient time. No word back from our HR department other than to say they’re “looking at the situation” so we’ll see if anything comes of it. Meanwhile, it’s my DSs 1st proper Christmas (he was only 6weeks old last year), and I’m missing the celebrations with DHs family today because I’m now having to cover in work 😔 so I’m a bit gutted about missing watching him open his presents and finally spend some time with family but however 😔
OP posts:
Midgetwithaplan · 24/12/2021 06:22

We all fall into the trap as managers of feeling we need to cover in these situations but you really, really don't. Email your manager and tell them that due to prearranged plans none of you are available to cover for SI colleague and put a sign on the door saying closed due to staff illness. It's quite liberating when you realise that HO really don't care until the tills are closed, and it isn't your job to cover all the unfulfilled hours. Enjoy Xmas eve with your family

Wfhquery · 24/12/2021 06:50

@100problems

HR here. The problem is that she's tapped the point in the current (English) guidelines that say if you have symptoms you have to SI. There's nothing to make you test, plus her unvaccinated status means she has to isolate if a member of the household also has symptoms.

You only have to look at the problems the NHS is experiencing with unvaccinated staff to see how difficult it is.

It is infuriating. The vast majority of people, as always, are supportive of the guidelines and comply, whether they fundamentally agree or not. Conversely we have employees that have bled every rule change white. If you had to isolate only because you own a Labrador dog, you can count on them getting one.

I’m assuming most of the people taking the p* are being paid for isolating as presumably workplaces are following whatever is in their sickness policy. Out of interest does an employer have to pay full pay for isolating even if the employee is entitled to full sick pay as they aren’t sick? most contracts unless very recent are going to be silent on this matter.

My DHs workplace had opposite problem as their staff only get ssp so people weren’t getting tested as didn’t want to risk the 10 days off work on ssp only. They’ve had to bring in full pay with proof of positive test.

Wfhquery · 24/12/2021 06:57

I wonder if she’s even isolating as most people I know don’t want 10 days over Christmas where they can’t leave the house at all. Can you get any proof from fb or similar or her not isolating, do daily phone calls on her working days at random times to check in with her?

Wfhquery · 24/12/2021 06:58

You do need to try and insist hr sort it though otherwise your good reliable staff will get fed up and leave and you’ll be in a worse situation

LemonCake79 · 24/12/2021 07:25

Given she's had 30 days off sick recently I'm baffled that she isn't in a disciplinary process and on a warning. She would be at my work.

Perhaps she is though, disciplinary should be confidential so you might not know that she's on a warning?

llanfairfechan24 · 24/12/2021 08:51

I am wondering if the refusal to have tests could be deemed a health and safety issue, given the duty on both employers and employees. Easier to dismiss someone on those grounds than repeated sickness.

If you think HR are not acting (too difficult or they have not got a backbone), would invoking a formal grievance procedure be appropriate?