Office or not ….. a quandary
Discussion
So I’ve been in / out of a small 8 man office (4 in it) since the summer, we’re moving to a 2 office layout capable of taking 12 (£600 Londoners read it and weep) but ……
I’m s
t scared of Covid, all the other people in the office inc new starters are under 32 and I’m reluctant to start the new starters.
I lost a pretty close mate to Covid, similar age. It’s a concern but how much is hype ?
I’m s
t scared of Covid, all the other people in the office inc new starters are under 32 and I’m reluctant to start the new starters. I lost a pretty close mate to Covid, similar age. It’s a concern but how much is hype ?
The best way to get Covid is to spend time in a small space with people who've been meeting lots of other people. Time, proximity, poor ventilation. So if you're concerned, the answer is avoid it.
I suppose you could ask them to show they've been double-jabbed, which would reduce the risk, but then they may play the human rights card.
I suppose you could ask them to show they've been double-jabbed, which would reduce the risk, but then they may play the human rights card.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 30th November 14:05
Your sad experience should answer your last question.
But, there's much you can do to mitigate the risks.
As of now, there is nothing legally stopping you stating vaccination be a condition of employment. This may well be challenged in the courts at some point in the future but right now, it's entirely down to you. I know of one company that has also mandates all staff have the NHS track and trace app and that the notifications are activated. This is monitored and enforced.
You can demand daily Lateral Flow Tests and weekly PCR tests.
All this - and providing you are vaccinated and have reasonable inherent fitness - will protect you as well as it can get without going through life in a HazMat suit.
That's all assuming you absolutely need an office. I transferred to home-working four months before the pandemic started. I've noticed no discernible difference in our ability to provide the services we do - the only difference being the added profit that comes from a lack of overhead.
But, there's much you can do to mitigate the risks.
As of now, there is nothing legally stopping you stating vaccination be a condition of employment. This may well be challenged in the courts at some point in the future but right now, it's entirely down to you. I know of one company that has also mandates all staff have the NHS track and trace app and that the notifications are activated. This is monitored and enforced.
You can demand daily Lateral Flow Tests and weekly PCR tests.
All this - and providing you are vaccinated and have reasonable inherent fitness - will protect you as well as it can get without going through life in a HazMat suit.
That's all assuming you absolutely need an office. I transferred to home-working four months before the pandemic started. I've noticed no discernible difference in our ability to provide the services we do - the only difference being the added profit that comes from a lack of overhead.
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