Company that originally required full vaccinations is now changing its stance right before we return to the office.

Anonymous

February 8,2022 at 4:58AM UTC

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Company that originally required full vaccinations is now changing their stance right before we return to the office.

I'm not trying to start a vaccination debate. Instead, I'd appreciate your advice regarding my situation.

I've been apprehensive regarding the office-wide return to work. Watching the weeks tick by, I felt a sense of doom knowing that it was almost here.

I felt better knowing that protocols were in place to keep us safe. Right before we return next week, they are switching the rules.

Instead of requiring the booster, employees don't need any vaccinations. They need to wear masks if they are not vaccinated. How is the company going to monitor 500 people to make sure they are being honest and living up to their agreement?

I've had severe cases of COVID even though the second time I was vaccinated. I'm scared about returning to a setting where people are working right on top of each other.

With the late notice, I don't even have time to find a different job. If I quit, it's going to be a financial hardship. I could wear a mask but from the long-term COVID side effects, it's impacted my breathing.

I'd appreciate your advice and I don't want to cause friction on this forum. This is purely what you would advise in my case. Thank you!

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Annetta MosesFebruary 8,2022 at 5:39AM UTC
Talk with your manager and explain your medical indication. You may be able to qualify for accommodation to continue to work remotely or be given an office so you can work without a mask away from others.
AnonymousFebruary 8,2022 at 6:05PM UTC
Thank you, Annetta.
I'll check into that option. The office is set up as an open concept so even senior members don't have offices. I appreciated your advice.
AnonymousFebruary 8,2022 at 8:28PM UTC
I would talk with HR or your manager about your concerns. Your safe is the most important and I think given the ever-changing situation, they'd be open to hearing your concerns and working with you.
AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 5:17AM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. I brought up the idea to our HR team today. Unfortunately they won't make an exception. It's turning into a mass exodus at work and more than 50 people have resigned in the past week. I have some difficult decisions ahead.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistFebruary 9,2022 at 1:50AM UTC
I would speak with your doctor about a medical exemption and fire up that resume.
AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 5:21AM UTC
Thank you, Joan. I brought up a medical exemption to our HR team and they denied my request. I'm updating my resume and broadening my job search parameters.
AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 1:30PM UTC
I’m sorry Covid was so traumatizing for you, it sounds like you had a really bad experience. Straight talk express, though: your employer is making a decision on workforce that best addresses everyone’s needs…shareholders, employees and customers. They’re not going to bend the rules to accommodate single one-off requests like this. It’s highly unlikely. You may get a temporary reprieve to work from home but I doubt this will be a long-term arrangement. Unfair to you…perhaps. So please start to think about next steps and looking for a job that better fits your needs.
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 3:58PM UTC
Wow, that’s more of the gaslighting this person already gets at work. “Perhaps?” Yes, it’s actually terrible that workplaces are allowed to run roughshod over the ADA and not consider reasonable accommodations, adequate safety measures, and risk mitigation for those who are immunocompromised simply because other folks want the freedom to spread disease. It wasn’t only traumatic for this person, but the medical community is collectively traumatized and appreciates any workplace or individuals who are trying to look out for others. Sadly, this company doesn’t care about its employees.
Theresa MercurioFebruary 10,2022 at 5:24PM UTC
Yup, trample the ADA and mandate vax and deny reasonable accommodation to people who can’t vax for actual complications?
Dcre1977February 10,2022 at 8:54PM UTC
Every mandate has a medical exemption.
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 11:47PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. I don't understand why the company changed its tune. For months, they said people would be furloughed until receiving their vaccinations.
All of a sudden, it doesn't matter. It doesn't make sense and employees are really upset. We all work in such close quarters that it's a concern.
While I recognize the news, I don't feel safe. If there was any warning that my company was changing its procedure, I would have left beforehand. Now that the return is mandated this month, we either go back or quit.
If we had the option to as you mentioned afforded reasonable safety measures I wouldn't be as concerned.
Besides my own health, my parents are older and while I might not experience the systems, I'd be worried about possibly spreading the virus. Thank you for listening and providing your advice!
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 11:48PM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. I'm starting to think about the next steps. It such a shame as I thought this would be a career position.
AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 2:22PM UTC
I definitely think it is time to start looking heavily at new jobs. Your current company is trying to please both sides by not making people feel like they have to get vaccinated but also making those that have feel more comfortable by enforcing masks. I do think its harder to hold people accountable because your not just gonna have a party sign that says I am not vaccinated only HR will most likely know who has submitted and who hasn't.
If they won't take a medical exemption (which it sounds like they won't based on your comments) then I would try wearing masks when in close proximity to others but take it off if you are alone in your space. You did say you were vaccinated so you should have the ability to do that. That way you aren't wearing it for hours on end. All the while looking for another position elsewhere.
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 11:51PM UTC
I agree and to paraphrase the quote, you try to please everyone and you don't please anyone. We don't have our own area as the office is set up as open concept without any walls or covers. I can reach over and literally touch my colleague's desk.
It's time to revise my resume and start looking again.
I'm not in an area that has a lot of jobs in my field so I'm worried that it will be a long process. I'm hoping that I don't get sick or spread to my friends or family. I'm more concerned about the latter than my own safety.
April Donnell-SurgantFebruary 10,2022 at 1:25PM UTC
I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope that your health improves, although I know it's not an easy overnight road.
My office is also starting to return to office, and they are going with the honor system on vaccinations vs wearing masks, I am also really scared for my health, as well as my family. Neither of my parents are in good health and I don't want to accidentally expose any of us.
That being said, I can't afford not to go if I'm required, so I am going to try to take precautions with myself. Skip the elevator that's already pretty full, distance myself from others, not sit in the packed lunchroom but maybe find another spot, mini quarantine myself (2-3 days) after days in the office, in case of symptoms after I go. It's not ideal, but that's the only part within my control.
Hope you find a way to work through this for yourself!
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 11:58PM UTC
April, I'm sorry to hear you're in a similar position. It's a scary time and especially when our family's health is involved. I'm doing better health wise but this situation is so stressful.
I can't afford not to go back to work so I'll be going back next week. The numbers increased again in our area so I'm not sure why my employer is suddenly taking this stance.
Wishing you all the best and stay safe!
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 3:01PM UTC
Definitely up your resume, there are still companies who care aboit workplace safety.
I can say from a compliance side the supreme court ruling has caused some depletion in morale, they said it was not a workplace safety issue, so the compliance groups are getting huge pushback from the loud political side that doesn't want any safety regulations period. We already have a difficult time with enforcing regs when the companies only do it because they have to.
That said, there are companies that realize that waves of downtime from sick workforces, as well as overwhelmed local hospitials, are not actually good for business or the economy. Others will have to learn the hard way.
AnonymousFebruary 11,2022 at 12:01AM UTC
Thank you, Anonymous. I appreciate you explaining the situation from a compliance perspective. Since we work in an open-concept setting, if someone gets sick, it will travel quickly through the office. Even from a production standpoint they would want to avoid this issue or least provide a hybrid / split days in the office?
Theresa MercurioFebruary 10,2022 at 5:20PM UTC
Vax booster mandates are ignoring people who have allergic reactions to the shots or who have had Covid between shots and have to delay boosters. You’re asking people to pick which ailment is more important, your immune deficiency or my allergy. The vax is not preventing transmission just the severity. Advocate for people to get the shots but screw mandates.
Dcre1977February 10,2022 at 8:53PM UTC
All mandates have had medical exemptions.
Theresa MercurioFebruary 11,2022 at 2:02PM UTC
Many people have been denied medical accommodation as ADA says it has to be “reasonable”. Reasonable gives people room to interpret.
Dcre1977February 11,2022 at 10:08PM UTC
Yes it does have to reasonable, many people are giving poor reasons. If you have a documented allergy, then you should not have any issue getting an exemption.
AnonymousFebruary 15,2022 at 4:32AM UTC
FWIW, there are other reasons besides for an allergy why a person may not be able to get the vaccine or a booster. People have had lasting side effects from shots 1 or 2 that don't qualify as "allergic reactions" and despite their doctor advising them not to get a booster, companies aren't accepting that as grounds for a medical exemption.
AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 5:25PM UTC
It really is a shame. I understand 'Covid fatigue' and the desire many people have to return to a sense of normalcy. However, I've got a husband who is immune compromised and I am terrified every time I come face-to-face with unvaccinated & unmasked people. If your HR team knows your issues (sounds like you've already discussed it with them) and are unwilling to help you, your valuable experience will be appreciated elsewhere. Best of luck to you!
AnonymousFebruary 11,2022 at 12:11AM UTC
Thank you, Tina. I think we all have or are nearing Covid fatigue at this point. While I want to return to a sense of normalcy, I wish they were taking safety measures.
Instead of rushing everyone back to work at the same time, what about a hybrid situation? That would limit the amount of employees in the office. It would be a gradual process instead of 500 people on a floor. It feels like a recipe for disaster.
Someone might not even realize they are sick and then unknowingly infect others. The first time I contracted COVID was before it was widely spread. A coworker recently returned from overseas and didn't know he was sick. I didn't find out until a year later as the office shutdown before I returned.
I didn't even know what was happening to me.
I live alone and was so scared that I couldn't move or breathe. I hope that others on this board haven't experienced a bad case as it's frightening. I don't want to take the chance of ever experiencing that again.
Even if you're fully vaccinated it lessens but doesn't prevent the virus. Thank you for your kind words and suggestions. I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend!
AnonymousFebruary 11,2022 at 7:35PM UTC
I am so sorry for your experience. This pandemic has been a horrible time for so many. Big hugs.
Catherine CarrFebruary 11,2022 at 2:47PM UTC
If I were in your position, I'd find the best N95 mask and wear it 100% of the time while at the office, and find a new job ASAP. The 3M Aura is very breathable, and so is the Vitacore N99. Vitacore is made in Canada - I am not sure if they ship to the US.
AnonymousFebruary 13,2022 at 2:48AM UTC
Thank you, Catherine. I'm not familiar with those models but I'll look into your suggestions!
TinaFebruary 11,2022 at 11:42PM UTC
Have you successfully been working in a remote environment for two years. Ask for that to continue given your stance.
AnonymousFebruary 13,2022 at 2:53AM UTC
Tina, I've received raises and promotions while working remotely. That's part of the reason I don't want to leave as I feel the company values my work. If I wanted to, this could be a lucrative career position. While I work hard, I've always seen work as means to live and enjoy life. Their stance is putting my life at risk and making me question if I want to have a career working at this company?
TinaFebruary 20,2022 at 1:12PM UTC
I’m in the exact opposite position as you and am being forced to be remote because my doctor has recommended that I continue to remain unvaccinated. I’d prefer to be in the office ‘some’ and cannot.
Priya KeefeFebruary 18,2022 at 8:03PM UTC
tl;dr: Get a good KN95 mask. Can you work from home part-time? Can you request a workspace that is in the corner or a little further away from others? I am not a lawyer, but I wonder if you would qualify for work-from-home accommodations?
I live in an area of low-vaccination rates. I have been teaching in the college classroom during COVID. I was very worried about getting COVID and, especially, bringing it to my mother. Though masks are required on campus, students (and staff and faculty) often wear them below their noses. However, I wear the mask correctly and distance when I can, and I have avoided getting it. I wear a KN95 masks when transmission is high, and a lighter, surgical-type mask when positivity rates are lower.