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Original poster

Working from home..

16 replies

Goldenelephant123 · 18/05/2021 20:21

So I was asked to work from home last March but was told they couldn’t give me the equipment I needed.. I would have to buy it all myself I refused to buy it and was out of work for a few months until they told me that I had to buy it otherwise they would be getting in touch with HR to say I was refusing to work.. I reluctantly bought it and since then they’ve asked me to buy more stuff... was it my responsibility to buy the equipment?

I also fall under the vulnerable category so I have been very restricted over the last year. The whole team has been working from home and there has been no problems but managers have now decided the lack of presence in the office isn’t a good look. So they’re making us all go back, obviously I want to make sure they follow the rules and make sure it’s safe but to be honest my anxiety is through the roof and I’d rather not go back at all.. at least not until we see how the country copes coming out of lockdown.. do you think it would be reasonable to ask to work from home for longer?

OP posts:

Seasidemumma77 · 18/05/2021 20:23

Personally I would have contacted an organisation like Acas or citizens advice initially, and certainly would have asked for their demand for you to purchase equipment at your own cost in writing.

At ghost point I'd definitely be in contact with Acas for advice.

Seasidemumma77 · 18/05/2021 20:24

@Seasidemumma77

Personally I would have contacted an organisation like Acas or citizens advice initially, and certainly would have asked for their demand for you to purchase equipment at your own cost in writing.

At ghost point I'd definitely be in contact with Acas for advice.

At this point, not ghost point

Howshouldibehave · 18/05/2021 20:26

What did they ask you to buy?

If you are vulnerable, have you had the vaccine?

LIZS · 18/05/2021 20:27

Presumably you were furloughed rather than out of work. Will they reimburse equipment costs(although it would then become their property)? What did you need? Are you now vaccinated?

Original poster

Goldenelephant123 · 18/05/2021 20:49

A new laptop, printer and some other tech bits. Once I return to work I will never use these again they was bought to do my job.. I was put out off work with full pay because I was vulnerable and there was no way off me being in the office but then they threatened me with my job and said they’re going to report me to HR.. I have been vaccinated but anxiety still through the roof.. I don’t feel comfortable returning .. I will ring ACAS tomorrow thank you

OP posts:

Howshouldibehave · 18/05/2021 20:52

I think if you have been vaccinated and the company want you all back, you will need to go back. Lots of us have been very anxious but have had to go into work for the last year unvaccinated otherwise we wouldn’t have jobs any more.

The laptop and printer thing is another matter but you’ve bought them now. I would have asked my union before buying anything.

ChessieFL · 19/05/2021 12:26

You may be able to claim some tax relief on the things you bought, if you can prove they’re only used for work www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/buying-other-equipment

Mowzy · 19/05/2021 12:33

I think if you have been vaccinated and they want you to return then you have to return.

Unless you were to request to be signed off with anxiety.

daisychain01 · 19/05/2021 13:34

Can they give you the specifics of how they have created a COVID safe environment, including desk spacing, hand sanitising, screens, ability to socially distance, good effective ventilation. Without these things in place they are acting unlawfully by forcing staff to return to the office.

It isn't enough if they fob you off with "you can open a window".

Tess3 · 22/05/2021 13:29

Im utterly flabbergasted that they demanded you to buy the equipment to be able to work 😳

Bluntness100 · 22/05/2021 13:32

I don’t think they can demand you buy equipment but know a lot of companies did as they didn’t have the budget to buy everyone equipment. Many folks have laptops and printers etc. So it’s a small minority impacted but it doesn’t make it right.

The going back to work is a different issue, and you need to seperate that off, they can ask you to come back and you cannot refuse.

flowery · 22/05/2021 15:24

“Report you to HR” for what? Apart from HR not being the police or in charge of disciplinary decisions, what was it they were saying you’d done that needed “reporting”?

So they gave you full pay rather than furlough pay while you were not working? What happened to prompt them no longer being happy about that and wanting you to work again? Was there the option for you to return to the office at that point and it was your choice to stay at home, or was it their decision and the office was closed anyway?

You are obviously free to resign if you still feel you don’t want to return to work. Are you getting help with your anxiety?

Original poster

Goldenelephant123 · 30/05/2021 20:52

Report me to HR for not buying the equipment and being “disruptive” to try to get me fired.
They gave me full pay and then they said everyone has agreed to buy the equipment so I can go back to the office by myself and if i refused they was going to report me to HR. I then felt like I was backed into a corner being in the vulnerable category so I bought the equipment..
I am getting help with my anxiety but I think you’re all right I can’t refuse to go back..

OP posts:

NewIdeasToday · 30/05/2021 20:56

Regarding going back to work. I was surprised at how quickly being in work felt normal again when I went back. And really enjoyed seeing my colleagues and working together again.

So please don’t worry too much. Especially as you’ve has the vaccination.

BettyBurntBuns · 13/06/2021 02:16

Why couldn’t you have used your work desktop?

Gmmllw · 13/06/2021 11:22

Be careful here if you do claim capital allowance tax relief, the rules around exactly what is allowable and what isn't takes a bit of thought and reading. The general principle of "wholly, necessarily and exclusively" can be quite hard to meet. See here for more details:

www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim31600

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