Can employers still enforce face covering and social distancing

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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?

It's most likely not so much about keeping employees safe but more about ensuring there isn't significant disruption to the business if there was a big covid outbreak. One or two people getting covid at a time is fine but if those people then infect half the office as can easily happen with omicron, it's a big hit to the business. I work for a small company that has specific rules for the office based staff for this reason - we might have to close down completely for a week or more if there was an outbreak because there just wouldn't be enough staff.

My company is doing sick pay for covid and will be for the foreseeable
They've emailed to say basically if you have covid, stay home and get well, we will pay you

Which is fab news, very well done to your company, and hopefully they won't be alone. But this is more than many workers had access to even when they were legally obliged to isolate.

@LyricalBlowToTheJaw

My company is doing sick pay for covid and will be for the foreseeable They've emailed to say basically if you have covid, stay home and get well, we will pay you

Which is fab news, very well done to your company, and hopefully they won't be alone. But this is more than many workers had access to even when they were legally obliged to isolate.

Yes since the mass deregulation of the job markets and huge numbers of people being technically "self" employed there are huge sections, including many key workers, who do not get sick pay, holiday pay etc and are living on very low incomes.

And this is why comments like why would anyone not self isolate are very naive.

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

So long as they pay you as usual, I would expect so. It's great being at work where I know that everyone is testing regularly and staying away if positive or when a close contact is positive.

Employers who keep making life in the office miserable will soon change their tune when they can’t recruit. I appreciate people want to feel safe, but there are worse things than covid.

Should employers be enforcing factor 50 sun screen, following up with you to check you’ve had your cancer screening and so on? All of these things would save lives but, really, it’s just something they have no business doing.

It’s important to recognise the toll that WFH and isolation has had on people’s mental health. Employers need to think about wellbeing in this respect as well as covid.

You are able to sit at your desk without a face covering, and presumably can wfh most of the time. You could probably ration your trips to and from a printer.

I think your employer is being sensible, and not only thinking of their employees but those they come into contact elsewhere.

@nordica

It's most likely not so much about keeping employees safe but more about ensuring there isn't significant disruption to the business if there was a big covid outbreak. One or two people getting covid at a time is fine but if those people then infect half the office as can easily happen with omicron, it's a big hit to the business. I work for a small company that has specific rules for the office based staff for this reason - we might have to close down completely for a week or more if there was an outbreak because there just wouldn't be enough staff.

But it's also about keeping employees safe. No all employers are mercenary callous people.

@Yogipineapple123

Employers who keep making life in the office miserable will soon change their tune when they can’t recruit. I appreciate people want to feel safe, but there are worse things than covid.

Should employers be enforcing factor 50 sun screen, following up with you to check you’ve had your cancer screening and so on? All of these things would save lives but, really, it’s just something they have no business doing.

It’s important to recognise the toll that WFH and isolation has had on people’s mental health. Employers need to think about wellbeing in this respect as well as covid.

The last time I checked cancer wasn't infectious

@SexyLittleNosferatu

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.

Exactly 👏🏻

Even my very conservative law firm has got rid of masks and distancing now. If choosing a new employer I’d actively avoid one which still required masks and covid related rules - I don’t see the point in being in an office if you’re discouraged from interacting with anyone. I can’t imagine that wearing a mask while walking to the photocopier makes the slightest bit of difference in any case. It’s just employers wanting to be seen to do something to try to mitigate their liability if there was an outbreak or someone got seriously ill.

I wonder if the companies that are insisting on LFT will do so when not free and will provide then to their employees

It does seem silly sitting iN a office all day no mask then putting on to go to toilet
Like on a plane all masked but you can remove it down to eat and drink, do the germs know to stay away at certain times

@Unsubscribed

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.

But that is inconsiderate. You're increasing the risks to others.

@Unsubscribed

I'm happy to do the LFT's and no way I'd go into the office if tested positive. That would be irresponsible of me. It's the social distancing and mask wearing that is getting me down after such a long time. I don't mean I want to get 'up close and personal' . I just want to be able to sit or stand next to a friend , not swerve round people in the corridor , and God forbid shake hands with someone new.

Yet a post ago you said the rules were the rules, so you're allowed to work when positive, so what a contradiction that you'd stay at home! Yet quibble over a mask.

www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/experts/legal/How-will-end-self-isolation-rules-affect-businesses It's a tough one. Firms have a responsibility to use reasonable measures for H and S. Arguably, these measures will go further than government mandate. So for example, encouraging covid positive employees in could fairly easily be argued as unreasonable. I guess each organisation will need to balance what is right for them.

It does seem silly sitting iN a office all day no mask then putting on to go to toilet
Like on a plane all masked but you can remove it down to eat and drink, do the germs know to stay away at certain times

Absolutely, the whole thing is absolutely ridiculous.

Do people really think that Covid doesn’t spread if everyone is sat unmasked at their desks but the minute one one stands up to walk to the printer the office becomes a Red Danger Zone and only masks will save them?

I can go and sit with my manager at the same table and talk and eat lunch together for 30 minutes, but if I have to go and speak to her in the office for two minutes then masks must be worn because it’s just too dangerous not to…..

It’s the uttter stupidity of office practices like this that make people so fed up with it all.

@PaddlingLikeADuck

*It does seem silly sitting iN a office all day no mask then putting on to go to toilet Like on a plane all masked but you can remove it down to eat and drink, do the germs know to stay away at certain times*

Absolutely, the whole thing is absolutely ridiculous.

Do people really think that Covid doesn’t spread if everyone is sat unmasked at their desks but the minute one one stands up to walk to the printer the office becomes a Red Danger Zone and only masks will save them?

I can go and sit with my manager at the same table and talk and eat lunch together for 30 minutes, but if I have to go and speak to her in the office for two minutes then masks must be worn because it’s just too dangerous not to…..

It’s the uttter stupidity of office practices like this that make people so fed up with it all.

Absolutely true. There should have been no exceptions to the mask wearing unless outside.

Many people don't want to eat with others. So just because you chose to eat with others at work, doesn't mean that the members of staff who choose not to, should be further disadvantaged because you don't care about masks! Your opinion doesn't trump theirs.

In that case it should be “if people want to wear a mask they can.”

It should not be a blanket rule of “EVERYONE MUST wear one.”

It’s time to just let people make their own decisions now. This has gone on long enough.

Just as you say my wishes to not wear a mask don’t trump the opinions of those who do want to wear one, but it works both ways!

@ChoiceMummy same as mask wearers don't trump non either
What gets me is the people who insist in a mask at work , yet happily stand in a pub or restaurant no masks being worn and no idea of people around the do or don't have covid
I reckon come summer more work places will drop them and then people won't be able to complain someone isn't wearing one

nordica

It's most likely not so much about keeping employees safe but more about ensuring there isn't significant disruption to the business if there was a big covid outbreak. One or two people getting covid at a time is fine but if those people then infect half the office as can easily happen with omicron, it's a big hit to the business. I work for a small company that has specific rules for the office based staff for this reason - we might have to close down completely for a week or more if there was an outbreak because there just wouldn't be enough staff

This

Sorry slightly misread above post. Reckon it ud both in equal measures.

Many employers are following WHO rather than Boris - can’t blame them?

My employer introduce voluntary return to office but mask are still compulsory at all times in the office. We are neither NHS or nor care home. Most people feel uncomfortable with masks so they continue WFH. Now the management announced a compulsory return to office and masks are still compulsory. The company has already had quite a few people leaving because of the nonsense rules. I bet there will be more people leaving or claiming to have COVID to continue to WFH.

My workplace is the same. Masks have to be worn at all times, including at your desk etc.

It currently means that only those that need to be in the office are going in. It makes zero difference to me whether I'm in the office or at home, it would be beneficial to the organisation for me (and others) to go to the office. I'm not willing to wear a mask for 8 hours, so I just don't go.

As with everywhere, it tends to be the lower paid staff that are attending the office.