Can I refuse to go back?

SimonSaysWhaaa

Deleted

jackieblack

Yes, and yes
How you get to work is of no relevance to your employer.

Grumpy_chap

If the arrangements at the office are COVID-secure then they can require you to work at the office.

Presumably the journey is no longer and no more buses than before COVID.

onashoestring

This is the Tier 4 guidance 

“Going to work

To help contain the virus, everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.

Where people cannot do so – including, but not limited to, people who work in critical national infrastructure, construction, or manufacturing – they should continue to travel to their workplace. This is essential to keeping the country operating and supporting sectors and employers.

Public sector employees working in essential services, including childcare or education, should continue to go into work.”

Are there parts of the job that cannot be done from home ? In that case the employer can expect you to work from the office ( as long as they have put measures in to make it COVID secure ) if you can do the majority of work from home maybe you can come to an agreement that you do not need to work from the office everyday just travel in for the work that can’t be done from home. 

JamoLew

Seing a lot of this recently -- people have gotten comfortable/used to working from home and now don't want to go back to how it was "before"

The reluctance is usually because for a variety of reasons it suits the employee and not (necessarily) the employer

There are cases where employers do benefit and are embracing this "new" way but if it doesn't suit them, don't expect them to  continue to "allow" it

MattMattMattUK

SimonSaysWhaaa said:

Can I just refuse to go? 

Yes.

SimonSaysWhaaa said:

Can they sack me if I do?

Yes.

SimonSaysWhaaa said:

I'm not happy that my safety and well-being is being put at risk for no reason. 

There will be a reason, just one that you do not agree with.

SimonSaysWhaaa said:

I don't drive so it takes me around 1.5 hours travel on 3 different buses each way, putting me in contact with a lot of strangers and truth be told I'm not happy about it. 

Your commute is your choice and your problem, not your employers. You chose to live and work where you do, your commute is down to you.

Barny1979

Out of interest what is your job? As others have said, no you have to go in, however maybe explaining to your boss that the job can be done from home, due to your large size, referred to previously, are you eligible for shielding?

MattMattMattUK

I am not sure that shielding is allowed purely because of obesity, there has to be some of the (potentially common) side affects, the most common being diabetes and which does not respond well to/be controlled successfully by medication. 

Barny1979

MattMattMattUK said:

I am not sure that shielding is allowed purely because of obesity, there has to be some of the (potentially common) side affects, the most common being diabetes and which does not respond well to/be controlled successfully by medication. 

I was referring to potential ailments, eg Diabetes that may make them eligible, not just due to being overweight.

unforeseen

Very obese (BMI>40) puts you in the vulnerable group but they are not expected to shield.
If OP hasn't had the letter, emai and/or text when the area went to Tier 4 then they are not in the CEV group and would not be expected/advised to shield.
Tier 4 guidance for the clinically vulnerable

If you are clinically vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You:

• should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others
• should continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and/or workspace

[Deleted User]

Get on a bike and lose weight too, double win