Covid & Work

kazzyd_2

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

There's nothing in place anymore, everything is as it was pre covid. We can wear a mask if we choose.
I kinda only wanted to know if this is what happens now, workplaces want you in even if you are positive. I wanted to know if this was a my company thing or if it was a general thing now. 

It's irrelevant for me now as it's day 5 and I've tested negative so I'll gladly return to work tomorrow, having only missed 2 days.
Thanks for all the replies.

jon81uk

kazzyd_2 said:

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

There's nothing in place anymore, everything is as it was pre covid. We can wear a mask if we choose.
I kinda only wanted to know if this is what happens now, workplaces want you in even if you are positive. I wanted to know if this was a my company thing or if it was a general thing now. 

It's irrelevant for me now as it's day 5 and I've tested negative so I'll gladly return to work tomorrow, having only missed 2 days.
Thanks for all the replies.

There are no free tests anymore, so testing positive is generally less relevant now, its down to symptoms and feeling ill, same as a cold, flu or any other illness.

Personally I think the government should have kept testing, but as this thread has made out if people test positive, but have no symptoms and they can't work from home and they won't get sick pay, then people can't afford to say at home so its all a bit pointless.

SingleSue

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

Isn't is the choice of elderly and vulnerable people (and everyone else)  to go into enclosed and possibly poorly ventilated spaces?
we all have choices - it's not like this is a setting (like a hospital) where they have to attend.
As a society we want to get back to living life - not just for the economy (which includes your job) but for mental health as well.
Some of those old people might have survived wars or cancer and take a different view to you (which they are entitled to do).
Are we not allowed to have the choice and get on with our lives which most of us desperately want? 
You are being very considerate but others (your employer, the government, the exchequer and your customers) may not want that.
Your customers can shop on-line if they want, or an outdoor market, avoid manned stations, wear a mask or they choose could run the gauntlet.
presumably these people are spending minutes with you not hours.

jon81uk makes a good point.
What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

As I've said before you do also have the choice of unilateral action which may cost you.
holiday, unpaid leave or white lie
This is a common risk now and it doesn't all now fall at the feet or government and businesses.
Individuals have to now take some financial responsibility for this new risk.
The governments strategy has been known about for quite some time now.

I have found a more flexible job from 5 days a week in the office, to 1 day (that I can swap). In fact I've had to move my main residence.

My strategy for other illnesses has been to go in (due to loss of pay - for a fair while in this job I didn't quite earn enough for SSP, it's only been in the last 8 months I have been), unfortunately work are not comfortable with having someone positive for Covid there and Covid is currently kicking my botty bot, I felt better with pneumonia, at least I was semi functional!

lisyloo

SingleSue said:

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

Isn't is the choice of elderly and vulnerable people (and everyone else)  to go into enclosed and possibly poorly ventilated spaces?
we all have choices - it's not like this is a setting (like a hospital) where they have to attend.
As a society we want to get back to living life - not just for the economy (which includes your job) but for mental health as well.
Some of those old people might have survived wars or cancer and take a different view to you (which they are entitled to do).
Are we not allowed to have the choice and get on with our lives which most of us desperately want? 
You are being very considerate but others (your employer, the government, the exchequer and your customers) may not want that.
Your customers can shop on-line if they want, or an outdoor market, avoid manned stations, wear a mask or they choose could run the gauntlet.
presumably these people are spending minutes with you not hours.

jon81uk makes a good point.
What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

As I've said before you do also have the choice of unilateral action which may cost you.
holiday, unpaid leave or white lie
This is a common risk now and it doesn't all now fall at the feet or government and businesses.
Individuals have to now take some financial responsibility for this new risk.
The governments strategy has been known about for quite some time now.

I have found a more flexible job from 5 days a week in the office, to 1 day (that I can swap). In fact I've had to move my main residence.

My strategy for other illnesses has been to go in (due to loss of pay - for a fair while in this job I didn't quite earn enough for SSP, it's only been in the last 8 months I have been), unfortunately work are not comfortable with having someone positive for Covid there and Covid is currently kicking my botty bot, I felt better with pneumonia, at least I was semi functional!

That strategy is financially risky (especially if you don’t have savings, insurance or a partner for backup).
Im not judging you as you may not have had many options, but it’s a risk to assume you can tough out any illness regardless of your age or fitness level.
it is sometimes ok to knowingly take a financial risk.
its when people haven’t forseen the foreseeable or the inevitable that is a shame.
Id say covid should now be regarded as pretty much inevitable unless you are shielding.

silvercar

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

There's nothing in place anymore, everything is as it was pre covid. We can wear a mask if we choose.
I kinda only wanted to know if this is what happens now, workplaces want you in even if you are positive. I wanted to know if this was a my company thing or if it was a general thing now. 

It's irrelevant for me now as it's day 5 and I've tested negative so I'll gladly return to work tomorrow, having only missed 2 days.
Thanks for all the replies.

There are no free tests anymore, so testing positive is generally less relevant now, its down to symptoms and feeling ill, same as a cold, flu or any other illness.

Personally I think the government should have kept testing, but as this thread has made out if people test positive, but have no symptoms and they can't work from home and they won't get sick pay, then people can't afford to say at home so its all a bit pointless.

Many people still have free tests that they obtained when the NHS was giving them out, you can also buy tests cheaply in pharmacies and supermarkets.

A lot of people are finding out they are positive because they are testing before visiting vulnerable friends or family, whether they can then go into work is down to their own decisions or the decisions of their managers/ company policy.

SingleSue

lisyloo said:

SingleSue said:

lisyloo said:

kazzyd_2 said:

jon81uk said:

kazzyd_2 said:

I work in a Food Hall so don't have the option of wfh. There are also no windows but yes I can wear a mask.
I'm just worried about my colleagues and customers, I'm customer facing all day and we have a lot of old people in our store.
Today is day 4 for me and it's my day off, I'm due back on Thursday so hoping I'll be negative by then.

What would you do if you broke your leg, got flu, had food poisoning (I hope you'd be off work if working with food!) or any other illness?

Unfortunately as the government removed free testing and the need to isolate they don't expect you to think of others and if you are not ill then go to work and if you are ill then stay at home and receive whatever sick pay you are entitled to.

Any other illnesses I wouldn't be putting the elderly & vulnerable at risk. I'm rarely off sick so it's not like I'm looking for reasons not to go in. 

Isn't is the choice of elderly and vulnerable people (and everyone else)  to go into enclosed and possibly poorly ventilated spaces?
we all have choices - it's not like this is a setting (like a hospital) where they have to attend.
As a society we want to get back to living life - not just for the economy (which includes your job) but for mental health as well.
Some of those old people might have survived wars or cancer and take a different view to you (which they are entitled to do).
Are we not allowed to have the choice and get on with our lives which most of us desperately want? 
You are being very considerate but others (your employer, the government, the exchequer and your customers) may not want that.
Your customers can shop on-line if they want, or an outdoor market, avoid manned stations, wear a mask or they choose could run the gauntlet.
presumably these people are spending minutes with you not hours.

jon81uk makes a good point.
What are your employer doing to keep the public (and yourself) safe?
Do they have perspex screens for example?
Have they discussed it with you? or have you asked them?
it's hard to tell whether they are acting responsibly but letting people make their own choices or whether they are not fulfilling their responsibilities for customers and staff.
perhaps they have excellent ventilation or consider the time people are spending with you.
The places I've worked have had policies ad nauseum about stairs lifts, toilets, kitchens, ventilation, canteens, cash etc.

As I've said before you do also have the choice of unilateral action which may cost you.
holiday, unpaid leave or white lie
This is a common risk now and it doesn't all now fall at the feet or government and businesses.
Individuals have to now take some financial responsibility for this new risk.
The governments strategy has been known about for quite some time now.

I have found a more flexible job from 5 days a week in the office, to 1 day (that I can swap). In fact I've had to move my main residence.

My strategy for other illnesses has been to go in (due to loss of pay - for a fair while in this job I didn't quite earn enough for SSP, it's only been in the last 8 months I have been), unfortunately work are not comfortable with having someone positive for Covid there and Covid is currently kicking my botty bot, I felt better with pneumonia, at least I was semi functional!

That strategy is financially risky (especially if you don’t have savings, insurance or a partner for backup).
Im not judging you as you may not have had many options, but it’s a risk to assume you can tough out any illness regardless of your age or fitness level.
it is sometimes ok to knowingly take a financial risk.
its when people haven’t forseen the foreseeable or the inevitable that is a shame.
Id say covid should now be regarded as pretty much inevitable unless you are shielding.

Well it's not so much a strategy really but a necessity. I can only work restricted hours due to being disabled and I'm hanging onto working by a very small and thin thread but it helps my mental health and I want to keep trying to work for as long as I can. I would be better off financially on benefits but my mental health would not be (which is also part of the reason I do not claim UC as a top up to my earnings)

I knew the risks around Covid and took the necessary precautions to mitigate the risks but knew I would have to face it at some point. I was protected for a long time by my shielding status during the worse of the pandemic but that has now been dismantled and can no longer be part of the equation.

No partner, no spare pennies for insurance and as said, savings, meagre as they were, were wiped out in the first year of the pandemic and I've been trying to catch up ever since. It's a pain and it will be tough for a few weeks or so financially but I'm pretty good at juggling things/stretching things out and making things last.

To be honest, I'm actually surprised I got this far into the pandemic before getting it and the really ironic thing is that I got it from someone who is still being incredibly cautious and has been 'nagging' me and youngest (who is/was also CEV) for being reckless (going to work is counted as reckless apparently). We're still trying to work out how and where he got it....

GTR_King

I work for a company (Not saying who) who work closely with the local council and is based in the main council building where I live... Facilities Management  

Council staff paid for being off company our company not.. We have been told if we test positive and feel well enough then come to work (Masked). if too ill then stay off work. like any other illness, we have some spare tests from the test & trace team so use them 

I have since tested positive 30th July symptoms 28th I sure as hell not going into work till I test negative/symptoms free before day 10 not fair on other colleagues