Shielding and Working from Home

[BionicLady]

Has anyone else been shielding and working from home, feeling anxious about going back to work?

I have been one of the shielders that has followed the rules to a tee and have been so careful, that I can count on one hand the number of times I have been out since 17th March.

However, I am very concerned about returning to work in August and just wanted to ask everyone else if they have heard from their employers and what other options we have? Boris has said in various statements that those who have worked from home should continue to do so.

My office building has been made 'Covid Safe' but I work in a place with patients wards, clinics, district nurses and other allied health professionals that do home visits and office staff. Many of our staff and patients were positively identified as having Covid, some staff displayed no symptoms whatsoever which is a very scary thought.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this. I know I will have to return at some point but not sure if August will be the right time because none of us know which direction this is heading with restrictions slowly lifting one by one.

Much appreciated 🌈🤗🌺

[Angelagone]

I do feel the shielded have been thrown to the wolves a bit. Personally I've never felt less like going out and mingling, but luckily ive got that choice. I dont suppose there's any way you can work from home ?

[BionicLady in reply to Angelagone]

Hey Angelagone,

I agree wholeheartedly!

I've been Wfh since March, but am a little nervous that my employers may want me back when shielding has ended or I continue to work from home.

The virus is still out there and a risk for me.

Thank you for your response.

Hope you have a good day. 🌈🤗

[O2Trees]

Im shielding but retired. Was very involved in my local community, now it all happens on zoom. But today there's a yard sale in our street with stalls in people's forecourts - I offered our front area and three lots of stalls are there right now. Pleased to be able to help out but boy, is it scary going out and taking a look. It's so easy to suddenly find someone nearer to you than you would have wanted even when you are being careful. An older man who lives up the road and is also shielding kept edging closer - dont think he even realised he was doing that.

I wont go into the town either as the pavements are so narrow its impossible to distance safely.

So this is all by way of saying I really understand, BionicLady. I would be scared going back to work too if I was working and had no way of controlling my environment. Can you phone your supervisor or manager and discuss this with them? They must have a duty of care toward you and those like you. Could the area you work in be rearranged to keep those who are shielding further away from other staff? Since as you say, some have Covid without having symptoms so could pass it on, this is obviously important. Since your workplace deals with health, patients with Covid etc, they really should understand your position. I hope this works out ok for you and that you will not be forced back to work before you feel it's safe.

Best wishes and good luck. Let us know what happens

[BionicLady in reply to O2Trees]

Hello O2Trees,

Yes, I totally get that and people will forget, this is what worries me the most, the fact that virus is so contagious.

I will definitely be having those conversations with my Manager who has been very understanding but when the government lift shielding, my employers may want me back on a rota. Even if I have the office to myself, I would still h need to share facilities, walk through corridors, pass many other staff members before I could even get into the actual office, so potentially, it is a risk from door to door.

Thank you for your kind wishes, you stay safe and take good care. 🌈☺️

[Hidden]

Are you a member of the Asthma forum? There’s a person there who seems very well informed on the Equality Act 2010. Maybe post a query there? healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[BionicLady]

Hey Hanne62,

No, I'm not member of that forum, not that I'm aware of.

Thank you for sending the link, I will check it out.

Do take care 🌈

[wooo]

Hi, ì am in exactly the same position as you .

I work for NHS in a similar setting

I had problems trying to work from home while shielding from my employer NHS

Now the say I need a phased return to work, however our letter states we can go to work if we can't work from home.

It seems they want us back I'd like it in black & white if we catch COVID-19 at work the trust is responsible.

I can do everything from my home I do at work & feel still to much at risk to be working along clinicians that wear PPE.

Whilst working in the community

I'm sever emphysema & wouldn't stand a chance if I catch it

[BionicLady]

I also successfully worked from home for all these months and probably did 99% of my work at home so I am hoping they wouldn't have a case to bring me back to the office.

I do feel that because I work in a building that stayed open during Covid, I am in a slightly more tricky situation.

All of my friends and family that do not work in healthcare setting will remain off until at least December perhaps and only one other person of those is shielding.

Like you, there us no way I would feel safe around that and it would make ne very anxious and upset having to go into office, I have small children which is making me feel much worst with worry.

I hope you manage to talk to your employers soon, I really don't think you should be returning. Seems absurd you going back on phased return, you haven't been sick! You have been working.

Take care and keep in touch, let me know how you get on. 🌈