My employer can't mandate masks outside of work, right?

[MyBraIsOnFire]

My employer (a university) has a mask mandate - we must wear masks in the vast majority of circumstances at work.

I abide by this.

Today I was in Tesco which is not on campus without a mask. I saw my line manager but we didn't stop to speak (heading in different directions, some distance from each other).

Then I had received an email booking in a meeting to chat about my not wearing a mask in Tesco.

The email basically said that staff are 'expected and encouraged' to wear masks in enclosed spaces such as shops. That we should model good behaviour to show our care for the local community and to encourage our students to also wear masks which in turn shows their care for the local community and each other.

I'm really pissed off but before the meeting, I want to check that my employ can't mandate mask-wearing by staff outside of work, right?

DH work have tried similar. They were basically telling people not to socialise or go out. I can’t see how enforceable that ever was.
They have now put in structures to basically pay you basic sick pay if you are unvaccinated and catch Covid though.

What an odd take your manager has on her role! Good luck heading this one off at the pass OP!

Good luck today OP.

Hello everyone

Still nothing back from my line manager. I've just left the invite hanging, not accepted or declined it.

It was for 11am this morning so let's see if anything arrives in the next hour.

Good luck Op.

Good luck!

Good luck

Meh, absolutely nothing back from my manager. The scheduled meeting time came and went and not a dickie bird.

If anything more happens I will let you know.

Was the meeting supposed to be in person?

@MyBraIsOnFire

Meh, absolutely nothing back from my manager. The scheduled meeting time came and went and not a dickie bird.

If anything more happens I will let you know.

I reckon you scared her off with the email it’s a massive overstep to try and mandate mask-wearing out of work now that it’s optional and I think she realised.

Hi OP - glad the email was of some use

Hopefully that's the end of it Op!

I take it this was an unpaid lunch break?

I'd have just declined the invite myself. No need to explain whether you do or don't wear a mask offsite in your own time.

What a bloody judgemental jobsworth. Does she have nothing better to do?

@ApolloandDaphne

Was the meeting supposed to be in person?

It wasn't decided - she said in-person if you're around, or online if you're not.

Still nothing from her!

HR in a uni here.

One question: does your manager not have enough work? Because every academic and PS staff member I know is up to the eyes and wouldn’t have time for this nonsense!!

@MyBraIsOnFire

I would have to email her to ask whether she’s intending to reschedule the meeting or whether the matter is now closed!

Viviennemary
Decline the meeting and report msnager to HR for intimidation. And consult your union.

This and get in a union today

No, not "this" at all!

The OP has already explained they are not currently a member of a Union.

There is no point joining a Union on this matter. It's like having an accident and only then deciding you need car insurance - likewise it is ridiculous in the context of this incident and wouldn't be covered by the Union.

Reporting the Manager for intimidation is equally ridiculous, they have a right to call a meeting to have the discussion, that's not intimidation in any way, shape or form.

Thankfully the OP is wise enough not to have declined the meeting invitation. That would be a very bad look and could be perceived as pouring fuel on the fire, rather than meeting the manager and having a reasoned discussion.

@daisychain01

Viviennemary Decline the meeting and report msnager to HR for intimidation. And consult your union.

This and get in a union today

No, not "this" at all!

The OP has already explained they are not currently a member of a Union.

There is no point joining a Union on this matter. It's like having an accident and only then deciding you need car insurance - likewise it is ridiculous in the context of this incident and wouldn't be covered by the Union.

Reporting the Manager for intimidation is equally ridiculous, they have a right to call a meeting to have the discussion, that's not intimidation in any way, shape or form.

Thankfully the OP is wise enough not to have declined the meeting invitation. That would be a very bad look and could be perceived as pouring fuel on the fire, rather than meeting the manager and having a reasoned discussion.

Pouring fuel on the fire? What fire?

This was something that occurred when the op was outside work. Her employer does not dictate that she wears a mask when she is offsite in her own time.

What a very odd comment.

I would have to email her to ask whether she’s intending to reschedule the meeting or whether the matter is now closed!
So would I, but I'm a bit of a wind-up merchant...

Of course its intimidation if you are trying to control a person's behaviour when they are not working and doing nothing illegal.

@Viviennemary

Of course its intimidation if you are trying to control a person's behaviour when they are not working and doing nothing illegal.

It’s not intimidation and reporting her for it is the nuclear option. Presumably the OP wants to maintain a good relationship.

OP, I joined this union on the strength of this interview by Godfrey Bloom.

Very informative, well worth watching at least.

Sounds like your push back has been enough to make her back off. She's realised you're not stupid and aren't going to let her away with it.

Why are people still banging on about joining a union? The OP has clearly stated she is not a member and why.

Unions are not magic - it very much depends on the person who is the union rep as to how effective it is. I was a union member and the company still managed to constructively dismiss me. The union rep was useless and didn’t want to rock the boat.