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Original poster

Can employers still enforce face covering and social distancing

102 replies

Unsubscribed · 01/03/2022 19:24

I've been mostly WFH with the odd day in the office.
Employers have been operating a very strict COVID policy with socially distanced desks , windows open, anti bac everywhere and compulsory face covering.

I've found it depressing although I totally understand the necessity at the time.
However now legal restrictions have been lifted, but my Employers say they are going to continue with their existing policy to 'keep staff safe'.
My question is can they legally force me to wear a face covering in the office when I don't want to?

OP posts:
Watapalava · 01/03/2022 19:29

Yes

My employer still requires 3/week tests on top of masks!

FelicityPike · 01/03/2022 19:32

Yeah of course they can. They just build it into their uniform policy.

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 01/03/2022 19:39

I'm happy to do the LFT's .

It's the social distancing and mask wearing that I hate.

I never thought about factoring it into the uniform policy , that's a good point.

OP posts:
Original poster
Unsubscribed · 01/03/2022 19:41

I was hoping someone would come along and say they can recommend it but they cant make it compulsory anymore Grin

OP posts:
Cookerhood · 01/03/2022 20:10

Where I do a lot of work it's a condition of entering the building - negative test, temperature check, hands washed & face mask provided by them.

ItsSnowJokes · 01/03/2022 20:13

Yes they can just like they can implement any other rules that you might not agree with such as uniform, break times, hair style etc......

My work still ask for tests twice a week (while they are available), masks and social distancing.

Jules912 · 01/03/2022 20:15

So long as they're not falling foul of any equality legislation I think they can do what they like, although mine ask us to do LFTs but say they take it on trust as they can't insist we share the result as it would be asking for medical information.

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 01/03/2022 20:52

Ok I may have to suck it up then Sad

OP posts:
luckylavender · 02/03/2022 09:37

@Unsubscribed

Ok I may have to suck it up then Sad
Why would you object to an employer trying to keep you safe?
PaddlingLikeADuck · 02/03/2022 11:53

Maybe the OP just doesn’t want to wear a mask across her face all day and be forced to keep away from people.

And does this mean employers can make you isolate for a positive LFT even though the Government say it’s not required anymore?

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 02/03/2022 12:37

Why would you object to an employer trying to keep you safe?

Because I already feel safe now, and I don't feel that social distancing and face covering is necessary anymore since the latest Government announcement.

My mental health has suffered and I was looking forward to getting back to a normal way of life. And by insisting on carrying on with the restrictions they aren't keeping me safe they're making me worse.

Am I the only one who feels this way ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Unsubscribed · 02/03/2022 12:41

Maybe the OP just doesn’t want to wear a mask across her face all day and be forced to keep away from people

Precisely

OP posts:
SexyLittleNosferatu · 02/03/2022 12:42

Why would you object to an employer trying to keep you safe?

Are we still trotting out this "safe" nonsense? How 2020.

Are employers only keeping people 'safe' from this one specific virus?

You are not the only one OP. It's nonsense. Pointless covid theatre.

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 02/03/2022 12:48

And its the way I'm made to feel guilty by them saying 'out of consideration for colleagues please continue ........'

It's basically states that anyone without a mask is inconsiderate.

OP posts:
secretsqizzle · 02/03/2022 12:50

You do realise that just because Johnson announced the end of Covid restrictions was entirely political don't you ? He is in the shit and needed a good news story.

My own employer has decided they will end Covid restrictions when the WHO (who actually know this stuff and are governed by the science) say it is safe to do so.

Last time I looked politicians are not qualified to comment on public health issues. These new rules were not supported by Chris Witty or Patrick Vallence.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/03/2022 12:50

It’s a pain, op, hope compulsory mask facing and social distancing melt away soon.

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 02/03/2022 12:55

But the Government rules are the rules.

And even if you think they're not valid they are still the new rules. So why can't we just get on with them.

OP posts:
WallaceinAnderland · 02/03/2022 12:55

Do you have to wear your mask whilst social distancing? We don't wear them at our desks and only put them on when entering or leaving the room/building and if we move around or need to sit within 2 metres of another colleague.

AndAsIfByMagic · 02/03/2022 12:56

Your firm are following scientific advice as expressed by the WHO.

Boris is desperate to keep his job.

Now who to trust?

BobbinThreadbare123 · 02/03/2022 12:58

Yep, still wearing masks away from my desk, still distancing as much as possible, still doing a PCR test a week or my employer will cancel my site access pass. I've got no argument with this at all; I don't like the masks but I do like my job.

PearlclutchersInc · 02/03/2022 13:00

If social distancing keeps some people away from me then yay!

We've been back in the offices only a couple of weeks and the germ-ridden are coming in already (snuffling, sniffling etc). Never mind covid I'm just wondering how long its going to be until the usual round of snotty noses etc starts.

Original poster
Unsubscribed · 02/03/2022 13:03

@WallaceinAnderland

Do you have to wear your mask whilst social distancing? We don't wear them at our desks and only put them on when entering or leaving the room/building and if we move around or need to sit within 2 metres of another colleague.
Masks are to be worn when moving around the building but when sat at a desk you can remove it. I'm up and down all the time to printer, to post area, to desk etc mask on, mask off, mask on, mask off , repeat x 100 Grin You can't sit or stand within 2 meters of a colleague Sad
OP posts:
LizDoingTheCanCan · 02/03/2022 13:09

But the Government rules are the rules.
And even if you think they're not valid they are still the new rules. So why can't we just get on with them.

Do you think the government always act in our best interests?

WallaceinAnderland · 02/03/2022 13:20

Masks are to be worn when moving around the building but when sat at a desk you can remove it.
I'm up and down all the time to printer, to post area, to desk etc mask on, mask off, mask on, mask off , repeat x 100
You can't sit or stand within 2 meters of a colleague

Well that's the same for me OP except for those very rare moments when you have to look at something on a screen together for example. I think the difference is that i have been going in throughout the pandemic so this is all normal to me. May just be an adjustment for you as you have been WFH. You'll get used to it I expect, it's really totally standard in many workplaces.

nearlyspringyay · 02/03/2022 13:21

Social distancing has been removed but we still have to wear masks when moving around the building. So we can breath over each other at our desks / having lunch / coffee whatever but if you stand up to walk back to your desk, mask back on. Bonkers.