Returning to office

moneymaid · 12-08-2020 04:34PM #1

I've just been informed by my employer that I must return to working in the office next week.
I have not been given any ppe equipment, nor training on covid 19. I have serious concerns about the ability to social distance in my office. I work with the public in a semi-state type role.
I have raised queries regarding the toilets, which are shared with two other companies and open for the public to use in the building, I was informed I can clean the toilet if I want before I use it!

Am I being unreasonable to have concerns about returning to work in the office? I have been wfh perfectly fine since lockdown. Are Government guidelines not to continue to wfh?

All replies appreciated.

gauchesnell · 12-08-2020 04:38PM

not at all. If you are in a union contact them immediately or speak to your Health & Safety Office.

Im public service aswell and Im looking forward to getting back but we have to do online training and complete a questionnaire before we can even be considered to return.

Is your role essential - some of the roles in my workplace have returned to the workplace as some activities can only be done in the office but these are very limited.

who what when · 12-08-2020 04:39PM

My employer has completely disregarded covid 19 and all government guidelines from the start. Office based work too.
So you're not doing bad to get this long working from home.

gauchesnell · 12-08-2020 04:43PM

who what when wrote: »

My employer has completely disregarded covid 19 and all government guidelines from the start. Office based work too.
So you're not doing bad to get this long working from home.

Thats appalling - again report it. If you in a Union speak to them. What happens then if there is a case. Do you can paid.

We are still working from home and i know lots of people (private and public sector) still working from home. Actually know lots of private companies not returning to offices until some kind of vaccine

OMM 0000 · 12-08-2020 05:51PM

You're not being unreasonable.

I don't know what the solution.

Why are the trying to force you to come back to the office if working from home was so successful? Have they provided an explanation?

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 01:23PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

not at all. If you are in a union contact them immediately or speak to your Health & Safety Office.

Im public service aswell and Im looking forward to getting back but we have to do online training and complete a questionnaire before we can even be considered to return.

Is your role essential - some of the roles in my workplace have returned to the workplace as some activities can only be done in the office but these are very limited.

Yes my role is essential but has been working perfectly fine in a remote setting. This is why I am so uncomfortable returning to a crowded office setting.
We were sent a 3 minute video today and told to answer 3 questions - this was our covid training.

I will follow up with the union however I don't think they will help in this scenario.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 01:24PM

who what when wrote: »

My employer has completely disregarded covid 19 and all government guidelines from the start. Office based work too.
So you're not doing bad to get this long working from home.

Are you state?
I'm semi-state so very frustrating to see them telling people to continue to work from home but now making me return for no reason.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 01:26PM

OMM 0000 wrote: »

You're not being unreasonable.

I don't know what the solution.

Why are the trying to force you to come back to the office if working from home was so successful? Have they provided an explanation?

Thank you.
I think the issue is trust. I can account for my days work so on my end trust shouldn't be an issue.

I have raised some queries again and have been told I will be issued with my P45 if I do not turn up to the office next week.

OMM 0000 · 13-08-2020 01:28PM

How long have you worked there?

The Unbearables · 13-08-2020 01:29PM

who what when wrote: »

My employer has completely disregarded covid 19 and all government guidelines from the start. Office based work too.
So you're not doing bad to get this long working from home.

Disgraceful. Can you name and shame the company?

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 01:47PM

OMM 0000 wrote: »

How long have you worked there?

A long, long time. Over 12 years.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 01:48PM

The Unbearables wrote: »

Disgraceful. Can you name and shame the company?

I will speak to my union and take it from there. I'd prefer to not make this public as I still have to work there iykwim. Thanks though.

OMM 0000 · 13-08-2020 01:58PM

Is there a solicitor in the family you could get some free professional advice from?

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 02:00PM

OMM 0000 wrote: »

Is there a solicitor in the family you could get some free professional advice from?

If my employers are stating they are covid compliant do I have anykind of case do you think?

OMM 0000 · 13-08-2020 02:10PM

moneymaid wrote: »

If my employers are stating they are covid compliant do I have anykind of case do you think?

I don't know, that's why I say have an informal chat with a solicitor.

gauchesnell · 13-08-2020 02:22PM

moneymaid wrote: »

Thank you.
I think the issue is trust. I can account for my days work so on my end trust shouldn't be an issue.

I have raised some queries again and have been told I will be issued with my P45 if I do not turn up to the office next week.

woah thats appalling. I thought this was a semi state company you work for. You need to speak with citizens advice or a solicitor as mentioned. Threatening staff is the reason there are so many cases in meat plants.

gauchesnell · 13-08-2020 02:24PM

moneymaid wrote: »

If my employers are stating they are covid compliant do I have anykind of case do you think?

You should have a health & safety office aswell.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 02:55PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

You should have a health & safety office aswell.

I do, it's my manager - the person now insisting I return.

who what when · 13-08-2020 03:01PM

The Unbearables wrote: »

Disgraceful. Can you name and shame the company?

Ah no I wont be doing that, doubt I would still have a job if I did.

I work in a small private sector company, family business.
I wouldn't mind but my job couldn't be more suited to remote working.
I think its simply an issue of trust.

beauf · 13-08-2020 03:03PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

woah thats appalling. I thought this was a semi state company you work for. You need to speak with citizens advice or a solicitor as mentioned. Threatening staff is the reason there are so many cases in meat plants.

Dunno about that. They may also share living accommodation which would seem to be a factor.

gauchesnell · 13-08-2020 03:06PM

yeah this is confusing. Is this a private company - is your manager your employer.

You need external advice. Maybe the video is compliant. Being uncomfortable being back in the office is different that non compliance.

What role is your manager to you - i.e. the person who said this

ED E · 13-08-2020 03:06PM

moneymaid wrote: »

any ppe equipment.

Ughhhhh

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 03:07PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

woah thats appalling. I thought this was a semi state company you work for. You need to speak with citizens advice or a solicitor as mentioned. Threatening staff is the reason there are so many cases in meat plants.

I contacted Citizens Advice, they couldn't help.
Off the record the person I spoke with advised they are in the exact same position. Staff can work from home but have been ordered back to their offices.

Gaybar · 13-08-2020 03:08PM

who what when wrote: »

My employer has completely disregarded covid 19 and all government guidelines from the start. Office based work too.
So you're not doing bad to get this long working from home.

Just because you're in that wrong situation doesn't mean that it should happen to everyone. It shouldn't be happening to you. It shouldn't be happening to anyone.

gauchesnell · 13-08-2020 03:11PM

moneymaid wrote: »

I contacted Citizens Advice, they couldn't help.
Off the record the person I spoke with advised they are in the exact same position. Staff can work from home but have been ordered back to their offices.

Really - how about the HSA. Have you found the Cov19 guidelines for your sector.

There is a difference between staff working from home and their employer wanting them back in the office and it is safe to do so.

My workplace is part of Phase 4 and even then we dont know if we can go back.

ChikiChiki · 13-08-2020 03:11PM

Unfortunately there are a cohort of managers who prioritise their own performance reviews over a once in a 100 year public health emergency.

These people are clowns.

My own company has been clear with guidance. We have available offices all over the world but strategic leadership is actively encouraging people not to come in until next year at least. I just can't fathom the negligence in some places, it only takes one badly managed case to explode out into 100s.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 03:13PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

yeah this is confusing. Is this a private company - is your manager your employer.

You need external advice. Maybe the video is compliant. Being uncomfortable being back in the office is different that non compliance.

What role is your manager to you - i.e. the person who said this

Sorry if this is confusing. I'm trying to stay as anonymous as possible.

My manager is the person who has told me I must return to the office. My manager is also the H&S officer for my office.
My manager has been instructed by the Dept that funds my role that all staff must return to the office.

There is an issue with Social distancing in my office, that was why we were all told to work from home at the beginning of Covid.

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 03:16PM

gauchesnell wrote: »

Really - how about the HSA. Have you found the Cov19 guidelines for your sector.

There is a difference between staff working from home and their employer wanting them back in the office and it is safe to do so.

My workplace is part of Phase 4 and even then we dont know if we can go back.

Where would I find the guidelines for my sector?
I am waiting for someone from HIQA to ring me back to discuss.

gauchesnell · 13-08-2020 03:19PM

ok but your manager isnt your employer. Good. Appalling thing to say to you but ultimately they can go ****e is my point.

Find the guidelines for your sector. Look at those.

Speak to your Union.

I am surprised to hear Citizens advice couldnt advise you.

You would find them on gov.ie or google search.

Maybe the social distancing guidelines for your sector may be not what you think. I will definitely be nervous when I go back. Being in a cramped office with no windows is not ideal.

Excellent speak with HIQA

Get as much information as you can.

John Hutton · 13-08-2020 03:25PM

Are you in forsa?

moneymaid · 13-08-2020 03:28PM

John Hutton wrote: »

Are you in forsa?

No, a different Union.
My manager is also my Union rep.

Returning to office

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