topic Re: What would you do i f you were me? in Community Chat

What would you do i f you were me?

conlt — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:17:49 GMT

I have been working at home since December 2019. All of my job functions are done at home. When I was hired I was hired to work at home We have others on our team that also work at home. Since then we have a new boss and she wants me to come to the office 1 X per week now because she want us to socialize and get to know our other team members. Our office if fairly small and those who are there have not been using precautions. They get on zoom sitting side by side with no masks on.

I asked for an exception because I am high risk for serious complications because of my age, I turn 62 in 4 weeks, my weight, I have hypertension, sleep apnea, and I have a hix of pulmonary issues and damage to my lungs from the year that we had the H1N1 flu and I became severely ill. I take an inhaler and medications for my lungs.

She said that I to come in but she would put me in an office alone and anyone who came in would have to use masks. Of course I was very upset and I used to work with the COO, so I contacted her to see if I do have to go in. I am scared of contracting Covid 19. I am still waiting for an answer. I guess for me, I don't see the point in having us come in when we have been set-up to work at home from before covid-19.

I also take care of my brother who is very high risk and certainly would die if he gets Covid. He has had 6 strokes, hypertension and diabetes. We are just getting him on disability now.

I have not been to a store except I order online from Walmart and drive into their pick-up area and they put my things in my car. I have ordered food on QVC, which I never did before, and I order some things from Costco. I have kept my self social isolated and now I am scared to death of getting sick.

I think the boss thinks that I am being silly, she wants to have a cookout, amid the covid. I am very uneasy about this and hope that in light of my co-morbities that they allow me to stay home. Now that I went over her head, I am sure she is angry with me, but at that point, I felt that I had no choice.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Tallgal — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:24:21 GMT

You need to do what is best for you and your brother. You are in a high risk category and same for your brother. You need to take care of yourself and your brother. I know this is not easy but you need to take care of yourself and your brother. Peace and blessings to you and your brother. Tallgal

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

NickNack — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:24:43 GMT

@conlt I think you have legitimate reasons not to go in. If the COO doesn't side with you, I think you should ask your doctor to write a note. I hope it all works out for you. Some people just don't understand the risks, and she is obviously one that takes them lightly, which is not a good thing.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:25:06 GMT

Don't go. Allow her to be angry.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

kaydee50 — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:26:15 GMT

Without going into great detail, I would explain to my supervisor the medical issues which make it impossible for me to go to the office regardless of any precautions she may suggest. You've been working from home since pre-virus so I see no need to change that now. Good luck!!

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Meowingkitty — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:30:23 GMT

You have to look out for number 1. No job is so important to risk getting sick and maybe losing a life. If they don't understand that I would seriously consider if I still want to work for them. I certainly would not be going to any cookout. I can get to know my coworkers just as well either long distance or in person. My theory is if it ain't broke don't fix it. You might have to get a doctors note excusing you from participating. Boss lady is just gonna have to get over it.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

esmerelda — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:33:28 GMT

@conlt Wait to hear from the COO. You may not need to worry.

I think you have good arguments. If you have to "bite the bullet," it's one day a week. The new information that the virus isn't easily spread on surfaces should alleviate some stress.

IMO you can get to know your team members via zoom, etc.

A cookout...what world does she live in?

Have you been there physically at all since you were hired?

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

CelticCrafter — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:32:15 GMT

If she's going to put you into an office alone what's the point of the weekly social?

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

qbetzforreal — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:32:27 GMT

Provide a letter from Doctor for your boss. Now is not the time to do team building aka socializing in the office. She's putting her employees at risk.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Isobel Archer — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:34:19 GMT

If you were hired to work from home, it seems they are now revising your employment contract.

It seems odd to do this now - and particularly to require you to attend a cookout.

Since you have voiced these concerns to the COO, you may get the answer you want. If not, you may need additional assistance - either from HR or from an attorney. I can't imagine their being legal with this if the fact are as you state.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Greeneyedlady21 — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:34:44 GMT

My state has instituted employee protections for situations such as yours during the pandemic. I would call the office of your attorney general after the holiday and find out what protections you have.

Socialization and cookouts are not job requirements, I'm sure they're not listed in your official job description. I'm sure she would have no legal right to require that from you, especially with your health and family circumstances. You have legal rights of protection.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

I am still oxox — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:36:48 GMT

I would provide them with a very detailed letter from my doctor

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Tadaki — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:39:04 GMT

The boss seems to be living in an alternate universe.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Kachina624 — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:40:15 GMT

@conlt I would have my doctor prepare a statement to the effect that due to a number of on-going health factors (not too specific), he has advised you that you need to take extreme care in your contacts with other people and limit them to those who have been tested are are practicing social distancing. Ask your doctor if he'd advise you to quit in lieu of accepting the conditions of employment and try to get him to put it in writing.

You can prepare your own statement on the condition of your brother and even possibly get a statement from his doctor. He may have to request it.

Keep a journal of all dates and contacts on this issue and of course keep copies of your statements and any correspondence you receive. Document phone conversations.

In the case you decide you must quit or are terminated, you'll need this for an Unemployment Insurance claim.

Good luck. I hope you get this resolved to your satisfaction. I have a feeling you will.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

QueenDanceALot — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:42:54 GMT

It sounds as though the new boss is thumbing her nose at and trying to show that she's in charge. Speaks volumes that you think she thinks you are being "silly".

Hopefully, she will back off with her insistence that you come in. If not, I agree with @Greeneyedlady21 that you should find out what your legal rights are in this. You shouldn't have to give up your job over this.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

happycat — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:44:11 GMT

I think you did the right thing by going over her head, and I hope the COO has more sense than your boss does. I feel you did what you had to do. We have to advocate for ourselves.

Before my dh was allowed to work from home, he sent his CEO and the site manager an email with his concerns and ended by asking them how they are going to feel if someone contacts covid and dies when they could have been doing their jobs from home. He did not get a reply from, but within 2 days, his boss gave the go a head for most folks in his dept to work from home.

While he was still at work, the person in charge of their "covid response team" was heard by dh saying Covid is no more than the flu. Well, the flu kills many people every year.

I feel for you, I think there are many people in higher up positions who do not understand how serious Covid can be or they don't care, because they think nothing will happen to them if they do get it. I think anyone in a high risk group should automatically be allowed to work from home, if the job can be done from home. You can obviously do you job from home, makes me feel like your new boss is on a power trip. Someone needs to bring her back down to reality. I am sorry you are having to deal with this, because you have enough stress as it is. She should be ashamed, in my opinion.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

KingstonsMom — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:45:42 GMT

I agree with other posters who say you should ask your Dr. to detail in a letter to your employer, why, in his medical opinion, you should not return to the office, due to your and your brother's serious medical conditions, that make you both at high risk to Covid.

No job is worth dying for.

And how would you safely socialize with other team members at a cookout?

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

Goodie2shoes — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:47:35 GMT

I totally agree that you should contact your doctor to obtain a statement that you should continue working from home. I would also certainly go over her head to the highest manager regarding your situation. Don't let her bully you, best of luck to you and keep us informed.

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

conlt — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:53:57 GMT

I have been working at home since I was hired. The COO and the other founders of the company used to be coworkers of mine. We have a long history together. They know me. When I went to work for them, it was at home. I am not the only at home worker that that they have. The new boss is controlling, but I never expected this. I am thinking the higher ups are going to say let me stay home, and if so, you are right, the boss lady will have to get over it.

I am most concerned about the small confined space that they work in. Honestly, I don't think that this is a time in our world history that we ought to be encouraging socialization in small places.

Most likely, I will get my own office in the near future and will not be working for her. I run a team of home care nurses and therapists now but I do it from home. We go on zoom daily for our call and care coordination. It makes no sense for me to go to the office and do the exact same thing.

They hired me so when they grow, I will change to a more upper management position. .Corona put a delay on that for now of course.

I will get the doctors statement, those are excellent ideas. Thank you!

Re: What would you do i f you were me?

ellaphant — Sat, 23 May 2020 15:54:56 GMT

Hello Halo,

You owe her no explanantion of your medical issues- that is private information.

Have your doctor send a note/email stating you have medical conditions that make you very high risk at being exposed to the virus and you need to stay at home.

Best of luck!!!