Worried about going back to work (I work in a school)

[JulezH]

Hi everyone,

I have been shielding at home for the past few weeks and have been successfully teaching my lessons via video call. Next Wednesday, when lock down ends, my school are expecting me to return to work.

When the lock down was announced in October, I got sent to occupational health as my school said that I should be at school and said the lock down did not apply to me (despite me being a CEV and them being aware of me being vulnerable). The occ health guy started to tell me I should be in school, when I showed him my letter from the government he changed his tune immediately. He said I should not be in school but when lock down ends he will be following the government's guidelines and saying I should go back in.

I asked my GP to write a letter and they said they couldn't really do that, but they did end up emailing me a letter which said that they think I should have a risk assessment done. The schools risk assessment is not very thorough and essentially says that if I don't go near the students for longer than 15 minutes without a mask I will be safe. The Union advice essentially is 'go talk to your union rep' - and that guy is a bit overwhelmed in my school so can't really help.

I am super worried about going in (there is no social distancing and my room and office are not ventilated. My classes are at least 20 students in each and they are with me for 2 hours at a time). My partner is also really stressed about me going back. What should I do?

[Hidden]

I’m in the same position.. don’t know which way to turn

[Pippy25]

What I don't understand is the virus hasn't gone away just because lock down or what ever measure that is in place has been lifted. changed or whatever so what makes your being at risk change and now it's deemed ok to return to work? No wonder you and others in this situation are stressed. My heart goes out to you. Take care.

[Lolabridge]

From what you say about your work conditions it seems that your work environment isn't particularly Covid secure. The guidance from the Government for those CEV is now published but it's not going to be that helpful to you I think. If you are in a Tier 3 area the risk is obviously higher too. I suggest you phone NRAS and ask their advice under the circumstances.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Leades]

I am in the exact same position, I am meant to go back on a phased return next week but I haven’t been back at all since March. How did you find it when you first went back in September?I don’t know if this is relevant to you but the local council where I live have a helpline for CEV and they can advice about work, so I am planning to give them a call. Could you maybe try that? My next point of call is the rheumatologist, maybe he could write a letter for you?

[JulezH in reply to Leades]

Going back to my school was awful. The kids don't think the virus is important so don't keep distance and don't wear masks. Our SLT gave up on challenging the students as it took too much work. The provisions they put in place are cheap bottles of antibacterial spray that don't really do anything and the SLT said that they don't wear face masks, only plastic visors as it 'looks unfriendly'. It is a joke.

I will try finding out if the council have a number, thank you for the suggestion and good luck with your place. It was lovely seeing my colleagues but I don't think the risk is worth it right now.

[Leades]

I totally get you, I have considered getting signed off again but I think I have already used up my allocation for the year. Could you maybe consider that? I love my job, but I don’t think it’s worth potentially risking my life. My school is the same about masks, only allowed to wear them in corridors, but visors only in the classroom. OH wrote to them to say I had to wear a mask at all time, so did GP.

[Bon1]

Hi Julez. I too am getting my head round going back to work next week. Our Head has been quite good and asks students to wear masks in class too, but with the Best will in the world the students are pretty rubbish and a significant mintoryt either don’t care or don’t understand. And a v small minority see not mask wearing as some sort of victory against “the man” 😂🤦🏻‍♂️.The only thing I can do to feel empowered is I am going to tell all my classes that if they are not wearing their masks properly in my classroom I will send them out.

I suspect not all schools will even support this but I think I am Well established enough in the school to have this as an effective message to my students.

I can be scary 😂😂😂I have even perfected the art of the on line full class bollocking. 😂😂

I don’t know why but I feel very emotional about it all and suddenly feel that after all this time I have hit the wall.

I wish you and all the others who work in schools the very best.

Bon x

[JulezH in reply to Bon1]

Hiya, it is funny, when I posted this message I felt really alone, but in a horrible sense, it is comforting to know that others are facing the exact same thing as me and I am not alone at all.

I asked my school and the occ health guy if I could make all my students wear a mask, and I was told I couldn't make them, as it is against their personal freedoms and would go against the equality act.

I had one student who, for a year, always refused to take the scarf off from around his face (it would be fully over his face with only his eyes poking out) and when we had to wear masks suddenly he has anxiety and can't wear a mask and proudly flashes his sunflower lanyard around. It is this sort of thing that makes me really annoyed.

I have emailed my school to say that I do not feel safe coming back in and they can send me to occupational health again. We will see where that gets me.

[allanah in reply to JulezH]

Good idea, why they need to cause us extra anxiety xx