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Original poster

Formal complaint made about me because I am housing a refugee who may or may not carry diseases

135 replies

Jynxed · 17/06/2025 18:53

Please help me handle this as I am feeling very upset.

For a couple of years I have had occasional guests to stay under the Homes for Refugees scheme. This is where asylum seekers are awarded Right to Remain but the flip side of this is that they have to leave home office accommodation almost immediately, with no money and no support.

Last week I was asked to take in a young man who would be made homeless within 2 days and he arrived this weekend. He is a doctor and it came out in conversation that he had been exposed to TB through his work, had some bacteria markers, and was now receiving monitoring and treatment in the UK to treat this.

I have come across this before, but did a little research to check that there was no risk to my family. I was satisfied that latent TB is not a live disease, and treatment prevents it from developing, so in effect my guest did not have the disease, could not spread it, and was receiving treatment to ensure it could not develop.

I have a friend at work who helps me with translation and explaining strange British customs when needed, as she speaks a couple of languages common in the refugee community. I was telling her about my guest’s very early x/ray the next morning and about how to direct him.

Another colleague overheard and flipped her
lid. Lots of horrible comments about “these people coming over here and bringing their diseases “ and how I had put the whole office at risk without any consideration, and she was reporting me to the Director. I tried to explain that latent TB is not TB and of course I would not put my family at risk if there was any concern. She carried on shouting at me really aggressively, and made lots of remarks which I regard as pretty racist. She has submitted her complaint and I have been called to write a statement.

I felt really upset about it and would welcome any help to both support the fact that there is no risk, and that I have not broken any occupational health type rules. What do I say in my defence?!
Thanks for any help you can offer.

OP posts:
Branleuse · 17/06/2025 18:55

I would make a counter complaint about her racist outburst and insults.

roundaboutthehillsareshining · 17/06/2025 18:58

I wouldn't address the medical side at all (assuming you don't work in a medical setting?) Assuming you're not a medic, you're not qualified to make a decision on the risk. However, had your guest been assessed as high risk when he sought treatment in the UK, then you would have been contact traced and received specialist advice.

I would address the racism side, that you found your colleague's manner aggressive, frightening and racist. That you are happy to discuss the matter further with Occupational Health and/or your GP, however you are not prepared to be subject to racist, aggressive ranting.

I suspect your colleague is going to be the one getting into trouble, not you....

TheNightSurgeon · 17/06/2025 18:58

I would say first of all you need to stop discussing the private medical details of those you help within earshot of anyone else.

Wrt her outburst I would write everything down just now, exactly what was said as you remember it, and email it to HR.

Covidisdrivingmecrazy · 17/06/2025 18:58

I hope work are just going through the motions and will end up sanctioning HER

Original poster
Jynxed · 17/06/2025 19:48

roundaboutthehillsareshining · 17/06/2025 18:58

I wouldn't address the medical side at all (assuming you don't work in a medical setting?) Assuming you're not a medic, you're not qualified to make a decision on the risk. However, had your guest been assessed as high risk when he sought treatment in the UK, then you would have been contact traced and received specialist advice.

I would address the racism side, that you found your colleague's manner aggressive, frightening and racist. That you are happy to discuss the matter further with Occupational Health and/or your GP, however you are not prepared to be subject to racist, aggressive ranting.

I suspect your colleague is going to be the one getting into trouble, not you....

Thank you - that is a very good point regarding formal tracing and notification

OP posts:
Original poster
Jynxed · 17/06/2025 19:50

TheNightSurgeon · 17/06/2025 18:58

I would say first of all you need to stop discussing the private medical details of those you help within earshot of anyone else.

Wrt her outburst I would write everything down just now, exactly what was said as you remember it, and email it to HR.

Yes, I can see that in hindsight and I agree you are right. In trying to solve the problem of explaining directions I should have been more careful in how I explained it.

OP posts:
Vitrolinsanity · 17/06/2025 19:59

On the plus side, you’ve smoked out the racist in the office. I can’t see any way that her grievance would be upheld once you explain her aggression, intimidation and racism. I would bet very good money those are factors in your work policy that will not be tolerated vs. homing a refugee.

londongirl12 · 17/06/2025 20:14

Branleuse · 17/06/2025 18:55

I would make a counter complaint about her racist outburst and insults.

Totally agree with this

OpalescentFruit · 18/06/2025 09:09

OP you are lovely 🌺

Original poster
Jynxed · 18/06/2025 14:06

That is very kind of you to say Opalescent, but I’m not, I am definitely flawed (see discussing someone else’s health issues as pointed out above!). But I am lucky enough to have more than I need when others have lost everything. My employers are considering the complaint, and my statement in response, today. I will readily resign rather than ask my guest to leave. I would not be willing to work in an organisation where such attitudes as was displayed yesterday are condoned.

OP posts:
dogcatkitten · 18/06/2025 14:23

I think it's none of any bodies business TB is treatable these days and if the medical profession have said he is not infectious, everything should be fine. Did you get a BCG vaccination ever? They don't do them routinely now but If you haven't and are coming into contact with refugees a lot, who might have been in contact with TB, you might want to enquire about getting the BCG vaccination as a precaution, or at least get a test to make sure you don't have it. (Not saying it's likely that you have picked it up, but better safe)

FrangipaniBlue · 18/06/2025 14:29

Branleuse · 17/06/2025 18:55

I would make a counter complaint about her racist outburst and insults.

First post nailed it

CaptainMyCaptain · 18/06/2025 19:36

Branleuse · 17/06/2025 18:55

I would make a counter complaint about her racist outburst and insults.

Exactly what I was going to say

Doggielovecharlotte · 18/06/2025 19:38

Jynxed · 17/06/2025 18:53

Please help me handle this as I am feeling very upset.

For a couple of years I have had occasional guests to stay under the Homes for Refugees scheme. This is where asylum seekers are awarded Right to Remain but the flip side of this is that they have to leave home office accommodation almost immediately, with no money and no support.

Last week I was asked to take in a young man who would be made homeless within 2 days and he arrived this weekend. He is a doctor and it came out in conversation that he had been exposed to TB through his work, had some bacteria markers, and was now receiving monitoring and treatment in the UK to treat this.

I have come across this before, but did a little research to check that there was no risk to my family. I was satisfied that latent TB is not a live disease, and treatment prevents it from developing, so in effect my guest did not have the disease, could not spread it, and was receiving treatment to ensure it could not develop.

I have a friend at work who helps me with translation and explaining strange British customs when needed, as she speaks a couple of languages common in the refugee community. I was telling her about my guest’s very early x/ray the next morning and about how to direct him.

Another colleague overheard and flipped her
lid. Lots of horrible comments about “these people coming over here and bringing their diseases “ and how I had put the whole office at risk without any consideration, and she was reporting me to the Director. I tried to explain that latent TB is not TB and of course I would not put my family at risk if there was any concern. She carried on shouting at me really aggressively, and made lots of remarks which I regard as pretty racist. She has submitted her complaint and I have been called to write a statement.

I felt really upset about it and would welcome any help to both support the fact that there is no risk, and that I have not broken any occupational health type rules. What do I say in my defence?!
Thanks for any help you can offer.

in my work her behaviour would be the one getting a complaint - knock it back - she’s being racist openly

tripleginandtonic · 18/06/2025 19:48

What you do I'm your private life is private. Nothing to do with work.

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 18/06/2025 20:15

That you think you even have to countenance the idea of resigning to allow him to stay in your house is utterly absurd. Does your colleague think it’s work policy to kick a family member out of the home if they contract an infectious disease? That she thinks stricter rules should apply to refugees is basic racism.

legoplaybook · 18/06/2025 20:42

You can't discuss the medical issues of an unrelated person but you should address her racism.

Doggielovecharlotte · 19/06/2025 12:15

I would reply detailing the shocking conduct of your colleague in the vein of that’s what you thought they were asking you to comment on

LunaTheCat · 19/06/2025 12:19

OP … I really admire you . You are amazing. Your colleague is a bigot.

HoldmecloseTonyDanza · 19/06/2025 12:26

LunaTheCat · 19/06/2025 12:19

OP … I really admire you . You are amazing. Your colleague is a bigot.

Agree with Luna 🐈
The biggest issue here is your colleague's attitude and behaviour - I really hope your company see that!

Original poster
Jynxed · 20/06/2025 12:16

An update. So myself and bigot were asked to work from home whilst her complaint against me for endangering health and my counter complaint about racist language and attitudes and unpleasant comments to me (I wanted to say bitchy comments but couldn’t think of a professional word to use) were heard. The outcome was that her compliant was not upheld, as the health risk was considered very low and I was asked to confirm there was no coughing or other symptoms before coming back into the office. Although this is theoretically vindication I am not completely happy because all of the data I included from NHS, NICE and World CDC show there is no risk rather than low risk from treated latent TB, and that it is standard practice to screen and treat for TB. Until such time as everyone in the organisation is asked to confirm health status of their family and guests I still feel I am being singled out.
My counter complaint has been referred upwards and we have been summoned to see the Director next week. Someone else in the organisation who witnessed the event also submitted a complaint against the bigot. I don’t know who but I bless them. Again, I am not completely happy because I don’t see why I have to be hauled up in front of the Director. I have done nothing wrong and my version of events has been confirmed by the third party complaint, so why not leave me out of it now. And I have to make a health declaration before coming back into to the office but bigot doesn’t have to declare a healthy mind and attitude! If they do not take any action against her it makes a mockery of their supposed equality and diversity policies.

OP posts:
CaptainMyCaptain · 20/06/2025 12:37

Well done. I hope your counter complaint gets somewhere.

prh47bridge · 20/06/2025 13:01

They have to carry out a proper investigation. Even though someone else has confirmed your version of events, they need to be sure that they have the evidence to support any action they take against the bigot and that bigot can't, for example, argue that you and the other complainant fabricated the whole thing. That is why the director needs to see you.

saraclara · 20/06/2025 13:14

I'm so glad that someone else complained about her too. And I do think you have to respond to the findings about you by saying that while you're grateful that her claim wasn't upheld, you need to correct the 'low risk' comment as the documents that you supplied clearly show that there is no risk.

Brefugee · 20/06/2025 13:18

take the NHS literature etc that you have, that shows there is zero rather than low risk and ask if you can explain this to the director.

Practice so you can explain, refer to the relevant doc quickly, and so on in 3 or 4 sentences.

As for the bigot, let's hope they get the book thrown at them.