Meeting for going back to work

[Stowe]

So I had a meeting with my manager today, who started the meeting by saying, well shielding has ended and all guidelines have now ceased so I would like you to come back to the office. To which I said I have a gov document that states those who are immunosuppressed should still follow guidelines to stay safe and one of those points is if they do not feel it is safe to come back to the office that they have the option to stay wfh until they feel it is safe to go back in to the office. My manager is passing it onto the directors to get advice, I wouldn't mind but I have been doing my job for 2 years at home perfectly well, I will see what the next stage will be. I'm finding it really stressful.

[Moomin8]

I wish you luck 🤞

[BoneyC]

Have a look on the ACAS website - working from home and hybrid working. Apparently employers should have policies on these?

acas.org.uk/working-from-ho...

[AgedCrone]

Have you got the Gov info of latest advice dated 24/2/22?There is another due on 1/4/22.

Maybe hang on to see what the April advice is?

[aliplayspiano]

Do you have the option of hybrid working. Where I work a lot of people do that even if they are not vulnerable. Unfortunately for me I can’t do my job from home so as soon as shielding was stopped last April I was called back to work! Lots of people work from home very successfully with maybe just going into the office one day a week. That might be a compromise your employer would be willing to consider?

[Hidden]

It can be counted as a ‘reasonable adjustment’ under the Equality Act. equalityhumanrights.com/en/...

You are covered in Law. Contact HR and have a chat. ACAS is also worth a look. acas.org.uk/dealing-with-wo...

You cannot be forced to put your health at risk; which in turn will affect your mental health. Maybe ask your GP for an IAPTS referral to get some support.

Also SCOPE have a helpline and are well up on things (you can have any d/Disability) scope.org.uk/helpline/

Good Luck… I appreciate it’s horrible for you x

[Jillyanne]

You could try contacting a Union ? When I was at work the Union were hugely helpful , it might take the stress out of your problem 🤷‍♀️

[stbernhard]

Fingers crossed for you that they're going to be sensible and accept your concerns.

[Hidden]

Well done for making them respect your position, I’ll. be surprised if they don’t accept wfm at least part time although in my humble opinion if it’s not safe on a Monday it won’t be safe on a Friday either! They should allow you to make your own decision given you have already proved it works!

[McTastibobble]

Hi I'm in the same boat. We have hybrid working but they're enforcing mandatory days in office. So I've requested WFH permanently as a reasonable adjustment under the equality act 2010. It comes under flexible working with added protection as counts as disability under the act . I also involved my union as they're been stubborn to grant this, despite same as yourself WFH during lockdown with no issues and no reason to actually physically be there in office. I think what upsets me most is lack of empathy from manager and employer. No how are you feeling, just back to business. It's infuriating. Maybe try this route with your employer. Good luck.

[Stowe]

Hello everyone, thank you so much for all your replies, to answers some of your questions, they have been saying since last July of us going back in initially 1 day a week now it is 2 - 3 says a week, I have till now been let off having to go in as I was in the shielding group and could wfh, then of course all the guidelines changed, with it masks, distancing, more people in the office ect ect, in my mind making it even more worrying to go in now than before, especially as the covid figures here have gone up not down. What gets me is I haven't said I won't go in, but I just want to wait until I know the covid figures are on the way down not back up. Your right Mctastibobbi, it is the complete lack of empathy that gets me and makes me really cross, that they are determined to get me into the office to tick a box to say I'm in. As far as I'm concerned my health is more important. Aged Crone it was the Gov doc that I showed them and yes it is update in April, tbh the way I feel now is that I will say I wish to stay wfh till the guidance changes, as I don't think that's going to be changing any day soon. I kept myself safe for 2 year, so I think it is unreasonable to expect me to go in for the sake of it, when they have known from day one of my condition. Thanks for the links I will have a read of them and get some more advice, waiting to hear back from my directors. Sad really that they say they Care ect ect, but clearly they don't. 😒

[SuriL]

I didn’t think we could use the letter anymore, but good fir you. I work in a Schl as admin and I have also been pressured to return full time. My GP has supported me and I can work 3 days from home but following an OH appointment I have a review with work tomorrow. I’m worried they will pressure me but I intend to say how I feel and the struggles I face daily. I hope they cannot force me to come in full time -I am soooo fatigued I just can’t do it.

I will take strength from your stand and I hope you will let us know if they accept your letter. Good luck

[Stowe in reply to SuriL]

It's the government guidelines to those people who are immunosuppressive. It states that if you do not feel safe going into an office and can wfh you are able to say that you wish to stay wfh until it is safe for you to ho back yo the office. Look up yhe article and show your work, you have a right to be safe. X

[SuriL in reply to Stowe]

Thank u -will use tomorrow 👍🏼👍🏼

[Stowe in reply to SuriL]

Good, good luck for tomorrow x

[Stowe]

This is the guidelines I was referring to.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)Latest updates and guidance

HomeCoronavirus (COVID-19)COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune

GuidanceCOVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk

Updated 25 February 2022

ContentsIntroductionWho this guidance is forKeeping yourself safeCOVID-19 vaccinesTreatmentsTestingWhat happens if you test positive

Print this page

This guidance came into effect on 24 February 2022 and will be updated by 1 April 2022.

Accessible formats will be published after 1 April 2022.

Introduction

The success of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme has meant that the requirement for shielding and identifying people as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) is no longer necessary. However, there remains a smaller number of people whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, despite vaccination.

Enhanced protections such as those offered by treatments, additional vaccinations and potentially other non-clinical interventions may benefit them.

This page includes specific guidance for people aged 12 and over whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious illness if they become infected with COVID-19.

This page contains useful information on:

who the guidance is forkeeping yourself safeeligibility for additional COVID-19 vaccine doseseligibility for new NHS COVID-19 treatments if you become infected and accessing them if you are eligibletaking a test if you get symptoms of COVID-19Who this guidance is for

Immunosuppression means you have a weakened immune system due to a particular health condition or because you are on medication or treatment that is suppressing your immune system. People who are immunosuppressed, or have specific other medical conditions, may have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases, including COVID-19.

Most people in this group will be under the care of a hospital specialist.

People in this group should follow this guidance on keeping yourself safe. You will normally have been identified in one of 2 ways:

1. Eligibility for a third primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

2. Eligibility for new treatments for COVID-19.

Further information on who is included in these 2 groups of people is included in the sections on vaccination and new treatments below.

Keeping yourself safe

If you are in one of these 2 groups, we advise you to:

ensure you have had all of the vaccines you are eligible to receive, including your booster COVID-19 vaccinationcontinue to follow any condition-specific advice you may have been given by your specialistconsider continuing to wear a face covering in public spaceswork from home if this feels right for you – if you cannot work from home, speak to your employer about what arrangements they can make to reduce your riskreduce the time you spend in enclosed crowded spacespractice social distancing if that feels right for youventilate your home by opening windows and doors to let fresh air inconsider asking friends and family to take a rapid lateral flow antigen test before visiting youask home visitors to wear face coverings and wear a face covering yourselfwash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face

If you are too ill to work, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay. Children and young people should attend education settings unless their clinician has advised otherwise.

NHS Volunteer Responders are available to help with things like collecting shopping, medication, or other essential supplies, and with transport to medical appointments. They can also provide a regular, friendly phone call.

More information is available online, or you can call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm.

COVID-19 vaccines

A primary vaccination schedule for people aged 12 and over who were severely immunosuppressed at or around the time of their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is 3 doses rather than 2. Additionally, people in this group who have completed their primary course (3 doses) of COVID-19 vaccine will be due a first booster (as a fourth dose) at least 3 months after administration of their third primary dose.

Severe immunosuppression includes people who had or may recently have had:

a blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)a weakened immune system due to a treatment (such as steroid medicine, biological therapy (sometimes called immunotherapy), chemotherapy or radiotherapy)an organ or bone marrow transplanta condition that means you have a very high risk of getting infectionsa condition or treatment your specialist advises makes you eligible for a third dose

If you haven’t already done so, book your vaccine online.

The NHS urges people who are immunosuppressed (and their household contacts) to come forward for any vaccine doses they are eligible for as a matter of urgency. We would strongly encourage you to take up this invite as soon as possible to ensure you have the highest possible level of protection.

Vaccination sites have been asked to ensure that appropriate arrangements and reasonable adjustments are in place to reduce wait times for people who are severely immunosuppressed. Priority access at vaccination sites will be given to you and staff will be available to help.

Treatments

The NHS is offering new monoclonal antibody and antiviral treatments to people with COVID-19 who are at highest risk of becoming seriously ill and are 12 years of age or above (although only some treatments are suitable for people aged 12 to 17).

This includes some people who have:

Down’s syndromesickle cell diseaseHIV or AIDSchronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5certain types of cancerhad certain types of chemotherapy in the last 12 monthshad radiotherapy in the last 6 monthshad an organ transplanta severe liver condition (such as cirrhosis)a rare condition affecting the brain or nerves (multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease or myasthenia gravis)certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease)a condition or treatment that makes you more likely to get infections

You should have been made aware if you might be eligible for treatments by either NHS England or your specialist consultant. If you have not been contacted, and you think you should have been, your specialist consultant will be able to confirm if you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.

A broader group of patients (currently those aged 50 or over and those aged 18 to 49 with underlying health conditions) may also be able to take part in the national study of antivirals if they get COVID-19.

Testing

Keep tests at home (valid until 31 March 2022 – to be updated).

If you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, make sure you have some tests at home so you can get tested quickly if you get symptoms of COVID-19 – the main symptoms are a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

NHS Test and Trace will send you a PCR test kit to keep at home. This is a test you can do at home and send to a lab to find out if you have COVID-19. If you have not received a PCR test kit to keep at home but you think you may be eligible for COVID-19 treatments, call 119 for advice.

You can also get rapid lateral flow tests to keep at home. These are tests that give a quick result and do not need to be sent to a lab. You can order COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests on GOV.UK, calling 119, or collecting from a pharmacy. Please do not collect tests from a pharmacy if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

Take a test if you get symptoms (valid until 31 March 2022 – to be updated).

If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, you should take the PCR test as soon as possible, even if your symptoms are mild.

You can find PCR home test kit instructions for people eligible for COVID-19 treatments on GOV.UK. You can take a rapid lateral flow test while you are waiting for your PCR test result or if you do not have a PCR test.

You must report your COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result on GOV.UK. This is so the NHS can contact you about treatment if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

When registering your PCR test and reporting a lateral flow test result, it is important to enter your NHS number, contact details and postcode correctly so the NHS can contact you about treatment.

What happens if you test positive

If either test shows that you have COVID-19, the NHS will contact you about treatments that may be available to you and make any necessary arrangements.

If you are not contacted within 24 hours of your positive test result, you should contact your GP or 111 who can make an urgent referral.

There is different guidance available for people living in Scotland,

[SuriL]

Thank you so very much! 🤗

[SuriL]

Hi Stowe -I thought I’d let you know how my meeting went. The OH report had expectations for me to return 3 days a week so they expect this from next week. And on 3 consecutive days -insane! I explained all about how I feel, how the disease affects me and the contributing factors. I said I don’t feel safe when I have to face 30+!peolpe all in front of me hardly anyone wearing a mask. It is so disheartening-all they are focused on is me being in the office 5 days a week to take up my mangers work. I said I will spk to my GP as I do not wish to damage my health any further.

Honestly, if I needed to be in the office to do my job effectively I would be fair but it’s not sadly.

We shall see. S

[Stowe]

Oh Suril, that is really disappointing. I just don't understand why companies are pushing people to go into the office when they are capable of doing their job ar home and have been for 2 years. Show your doc the gov document and see if he would write something to say you are betterstaying safe at home. It's to my mind very uncaring. Good luck x

[Chockyuk]

I’m sorry to hear your company is doing this. We have the same in my work. I get terribly fatigued and asked on the odd day I feel tired, could I work from home, it was just ignored. 😔I don’t see why they don’t get we’ve been doing it throughout lockdown, why not now.

[Stowe]

I know it's ridiculous, I think they think we're sitting at home not working, I'm doing more work at home, logging on earlier In the morning, take less breaks and am not disturbed, yet I still have to stand up for myself to stay wfh whilst the covid figures keeping going up. 🤔 I really hope your work start listening to you, could you ask for a health assessment (not sure what they are officially called) so that it is officially registered ofwhat you need for your health.